Table of Contents Table Of Contents Quick Facts/Media .......................................3 Purple Eagle Newcomers .................... 25-26 2014 Roster .................................................4 2014 Opponents ........................................27 Team Information .........................................5 2013 In Review ....................................28-33 Coaching Staff ......................................... 6-8 Records & History................................ 34-40 2014 Purple Eagles ............................... 9-24 Niagara University .....................................41 Niagara Mission Statement As an integral part of the Niagara University Catholic mission, the athletics program does community, the athletics program strives to cre- not discriminate against any individual in edu- ate an environment that challenges student- cational or employment opportunities because athletes to reach their full academic and athlet- of race, gender, age, national origin, religious ics potential. preference, sexual orientation, status as a vet- The conduct of the program refl ects the core eran or disability. values of the university’s Vincentian mission in its emphasis on the intellectual, personal and Credits spiritual growth of the student-athletes. The 2014 Niagara University softball guide was written by Critical character values, including a strong Nicholas Accordino with layout design by Michelle Kokot. Editorial assistance from the Niagara athletic communica- work ethic, leadership, teamwork, sportsman- tions staff. Photography courtesy of James P. McCoy. ship, fairness and service are actively promoted Purple Eagle Athletics has made supporting our programs among the student-athletes. easier as we enter the paperless media guide era. Our ‘Go The program is intended to provide esprit de Green’ initiative has also helped the Purple & White Club with corps among the student body and offer a rally- online donations. ing point for the campus, alumni and community. Fans of each sport can donate to a specifi c program, or to NU Consistent with the university policy and its Athletics, by simply visiting the Purple & White page. 2 NIAGARA PURPLE EAGLES • NIAGARA PURPLE EAGLES • NIAGARA PURPLE EAGLES • NIAGARA PURPLE EAGLES Quick Facts/Media Purple Eagle Quick Facts General Facility/History Location: ......................................................Niagara University, N.Y., 14109 Home Field: .................................................................Niagara Softball Field Founded: ...............................................................................................1856 Capacity: ..................................................................................................200 Enrollment: ...........................................................................................3,744 Year Opened: ........................................................................................1991 Nickname: ................................................................................Purple Eagles First year of sport: ..................................................................................1981 Colors: ...................................................................................Purple & White All-time Record: ...........................................................447-655-4 (33 years) Affi liation: ..............................................................................NCAA Division I All-time MAAC Record: ....................................................149-183 (24 years) Conference: .................................................................Metro Atlantic Athletic President: ...........................................................Rev. James J. Maher, C.M. Coaching Staff Alma Mater: .................................................Mary Immaculate Seminary, ‘90 Interim Director of Athletics........................................................Steve Butler Head Coach: ...............................................................................Larry Puzan Faculty Athletics Representative: ..................................... Dr. John Stranges Alma Mater/Yr. ..........................................................Niagara County CC ‘86 Athletics Department Phone: ...................................................716-286-8600 Record at Niagara/Yrs.: .............................................................First Season Athletics Department Fax: .......................................................716-286-8609 Career Division I Record/Yrs.: ..............................................................Same Assistant Coach: ......................................................................Felicia Kinney Athletic Communications Alma Mater/Yr.: ............................................................................Niagara ‘09 Volunteer Assistant Coach ......................................................Joel Patterson Softball Contact ................................................................... Derick Thornton Alma Mater/Yr .............................................................................Daemen ‘99 Offi ce Phone .........................................................................(716) 286-8724 Offi ce Phone: ...........................................................................716-286-8662 E-mail ......................................................................dthornton@niagara.edu Best time/day to reach coach: ....................................................Contact SID Web Site ..................................................................www.PurpleEagles.com Mailing Address ......................................................................P.O. Box 2009 Team Information .............................................................Niagara University, N.Y. 14109-2009 2013 Overall: ........................................................................................16-30 Home ........................................................................................................6-8 Away .......................................................................................................7-11 Neutral ....................................................................................................3-11 2013 MAAC/Finish: .............................................................................9-7/4th Starters Returning/Lost: ............................................................................5/4 facebook.com/PurpleEagles twitter.com/NUPurpleEagles youtube.com/NiagaraPE Visit the Purple Eagles online at NIAGARA PURPLE EAGLES • NIAGARA PURPLE EAGLES • NIAGARA PURPLE EAGLES • NIAGARA PURPLE EAGLES 3 2014 Roster 2014 Niagara Softball Roster Numerical No. Name Yr. Pos. B/T Ht. Hometown Previous School Major 1 Ambur Farmer Jr. OF S/R 5-4 Twinsburg, Ohio Twinsburg High School Biology 2 Desarae Maldonado Jr. 2B R/R 5-3 Rochester, N.Y. West Irondequoit High AEP 4 Jennifer Sansano Sr. P R/R 6-0 Clarence, N.Y. St. Bonaventure Accounting 6 Theresa Fleckenstein Fr. C/Util. R/R 5-8 Ransomville, N.Y. Lewiston-Porter High School AEP 7 Rebecca Saggiomo So. 1B R/R 5-8 Athens, Pa. Notre Dame High School Education 8 Kim Bryson Sr. P R/R 5-8 Perrysburg, Ohio Perrysburg High School Education 9 Taylor Huenink So. C R/L 5-11 Cortland, N.Y. Cortland High School Marketing 13 Miranda Ortega So. Util. R/R 4-11 Ozone Park, N.Y. Robert H. Goddard High Mathmematics 14 Ali VanGiesen Fr. 2B/OF R/R 5-5 Auburn, N.Y. Auburn High School Criminal Justice 17 Connal Kelly Sr. Util. R/R 5-3 Tallmadge, Ohio Catawba College Biology 18 Aileen Hinton Sr. 3B/Util. R/R 5-7 Barker, N.Y. Barker High School Education 19 Alexandra Moore Fr. 2B R/R 5-6 Tonawanda, N.Y. Tonawanda High School Education 20 Rachel Ziarnowski Fr. C/SS R/R 5-5 Wheatfi eld, N.Y. Holy Angels Academy Management 21 Chanelle Ward Fr. SS R/R 5-9 Lemon Grove, Calif. Helix Charter High School Biochemistry 22 Sydney Smyers So. P R/R 5-7 Pittsburgh, Pa. Shaler Area High School Accounting 24 Ally Gay So. OF R/R 5-4 Clarence, N.Y. Clarence High School Psychology 28 Amanda Werth Jr. C/Util. R/R 5-4 Gasport, N.Y. Royalton-Hartland High School Criminal Justice 29 Brittany Richberg Sr. 2B L/R 5-7 Holland, Ohio Springfi eld High School Criminal Justice 31 Katelyn Gruarin Jr. OF L/R 5-7 Niagara Falls, N.Y. Niagara Wheatfi eld High School AEP 55 Bridget Hogan Fr. 3B/P S/R 5-7 Boston, N.Y. Hamburg High School Nursing Alphabetical No. Name Yr. Pos. B/T Ht. Hometown Previous School Major 8 Kim Bryson Sr. P R/R 5-8 Perrysburg, Ohio Perrysburg High School Education 1 Ambur Farmer Jr. OF S/R 5-4 Twinsburg, Ohio Twinsburg High School Biology 6 Theresa Fleckenstein Fr. C/Util. R/R 5-8 Ransomville, N.Y. Lewiston-Porter High School AEP 24 Ally Gay So. OF R/R 5-4 Clarence, N.Y. Clarence High School Psychology 31 Katelyn Gruarin Jr. OF L/R 5-7 Niagara Falls, N.Y. Niagara Wheatfi eld High School AEP 18 Aileen Hinton Sr. 3B/Util. R/R 5-7 Barker, N.Y. Barker High School Education 55 Bridget Hogan Fr. 3B/P S/R 5-7 Boston, N.Y. Hamburg High School Nursing 9 Taylor Huenink So. C R/L 5-11 Cortland, N.Y. Cortland High School Marketing 17 Connal Kelly Sr. Util. R/R 5-3 Tallmadge, Ohio Catawba College Biology 2 Desarae Maldonado Jr. 2B R/R 5-3 Rochester, N.Y. West Irondequoit High AEP 19 Alexandra Moore Fr. 2B R/R 5-6 Tonawanda, N.Y. Tonawanda High School Education 13 Miranda Ortega So. Util. R/R 4-11 Ozone Park, N.Y. Robert H. Goddard High Mathmematics 29 Brittany Richberg Sr. 2B L/R 5-7 Holland, Ohio