NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Manhattan Jaspers softball team (15-32, 10-15 MAAC), fell in its series finale against the Purple Eagles of Niagara (6-31, 5-19 MAAC), by the final score of 4-3 at Niagara Softball Field on Sunday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After yesterday's contest was declared a washout, the two sides met for the final time starting at 1 PM this afternoon.
- Two walks and a single from Natalye DeBus started the game with the bases loaded and no outs, but the Jaspers were unable to capitalize after the first frame.
- With the offense on both sides staying quiet through two, Samantha Kelly drew another walk preceding DeBus' single to start the third, but the game remained scoreless heading into the home half.
- Three runs came home across two batters when Niagara came to the plate, highlighted by a two-RBI single.
- Manhattan combined for one hit across the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, while the Purple Eagles added an insurance run that later became the winning run in the fifth.
- In the seventh and final frame, Kelly tripled to left center to score Brianna Estevez, with DeBus immediately following that up with a double to now cut the 4-0 lead in half.
- With two outs, Lainey Brown reached on an error to score Madison Douglass and bring the Green and White within one.
- Despite the late push, a subsequent flyout ended the series in favor of Niagara.
STATS AND NOTES
- Freshman utility player Natalye DeBus led the tema in hits with three, while adding an RBI.
- Sophomore outfielder Isabella Coulman followed closely behind with two, the only other member of the Green and White to record a multi-hit game.
- Freshman shortstop Samantha Kelly was the only other Jasper to record an RBI after her seventh-inning triple.
NEXT UP:
Manhattan will continue its 2026 campaign on Wednesday, April 29, when they welcome the Red Foxes of Marist to Riverdale in a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM from Gaelic Park and will be streamed live on the Jasper Sports Network.
Follow Manhattan Softball on X (@JaspersSoftball) and Instagram (@jasperssoftball).
