Published: May 07, 2008 11:05 pm            

COLLEGE SOFTBALL: Purps have the pitching, too

LEWISTON — In the midst of an offensive onslaught that has helped the Niagara softball team win a record 27 games and enter this week’s Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament as the No. 2 seed, the question is posed to coach Al Dirschberger: Do the Purple Eagles have the pitching prowess to be champions?

“Our pitching has been solid all year,” he said. “They’re as much part of us winning as everyone else. They’ve done a great job, especially in the last part of the season, keeping us in games while waiting for our bats to come around.”

This superb Niagara team represents the culmination of Dirschberger’s efforts four years ago, the first time he was allowed to divvy up scholarship money to fit his recruiting needs. That allowed him to sign hurlers Tiffany McCrory and Brooke Viola.

McCrory, who is 10-8 on the season with a 3.40 ERA and 57 strikeouts, will start today’s opener against Fairfield.

Viola, who is 10-3 with a 3.07 ERA and 64 strikeouts, and was named MAAC pitcher of the week March 11, will take the ball Friday in Niagara’s second game of the double elimination tournament.

McCrory and Viola are the first Niagara pitching tandem to each win 10 games in a season.

The Purple Eagles bullpen, which is led by North Tonawanda native Cassie Stone, have helped the team to a 23-2 mark when leading after five innings. Stone, a sophomore, has already tied the single-season save record with three and is carrying a 1.17 ERA.

“We have a good solid pitching staff,” said catcher Tory Healy. “It’s nice to go against them in practice and have to try and hit off them every day. That prepares us for any good pitching we face.”

Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.

        

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