The Niagara Purple Eagles softball team represents Niagara University in the NCAA Division I college softball. The team participates in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). The Purple Eagles are currently led by head coach Paul. The team plays its home games at Niagara Softball Field located on the university's campus.
History Since joining the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in 1990, Niagara has failed to win a conference regular season title but have managed to finish second three times, doing so in 1996, 1997, and 2008. The Purple Eagles have been largely unsuccessful since establishing a team in 1981. Niagara has posted a winning season only seven times in 41 years, six of those with former coach Al Dirschberger. The most recent winning season came in 2009. They have, however, managed to win a conference tournament title, doing so in 1998. In doing so, Niagara earned a berth in the 1998 NCAA Division I softball tournament.
The Purple Eagles, led by stars Joni Sontrop and Kelly Cruttenden, faced off against Arizona in their first career NCAA tournament appearance, losing 14-0 via mercy rule in five innings. Niagara were eliminated in their second and final game of the tournament, losing 5-1 to Hawaii.
Former head coach Al Dirschberger was convicted of raping a 28 year old woman in 2017 and was sentenced to 5 years in prison. He was released in 2023 and will be under probation for ten years.
Coaching history
1981–1982 Bill Gould 17–19 1983–1987 Beth Corcoran 46–58–2 1988–1989 Beth Bullock 16–39–2 1990 Gerilyn Proto 7–21 1991–2012 Al Dirschberger 345–488 2013 Ellie Chan 16–30 2014–2025 Larry Puzan 172–341 2026–present Paul Gray 8–34
Roster 2024 Niagara Purple Eagles roster Pitchers 16 – Maddie Hickingbottom – Graduate Student 19 – Cara Leone – Graduate Student 52 – Sage Jackson – Junior
Catchers 00 – Jolyn Gibbons – Sophomore 24 – Maggie Kellner – Senior 44 – Sophia Marrero – Sophomore
Outfielders 9 – Samantha Hare – Senior 29 – Madison LaPenta – Junior – Samantha Miller – Graduate Student 22 – Jaden Swiatek – Senior Infielders 12 – Hailey Cenname – Sophomore – Brianna Delaney – Freshman – Natasha Limbani – Freshman 99 – Bayleigh McCullough – Junior 20 – Hannah Mingle – Junior – Selah Moyer – Freshman 77 – Shayna Myshrall – Graduate Student 8 – Payton Rano – Sophomore 42 – Julia Thompson – Graduate Student
Utility 7 – Kaylee Haines – Sophomore – Kira Kilonsky – Freshman 5 – Lindsay Mayo – Junior Reference:
Season-by-season results
Season cut short due to COVID-19 pandemic
As of May 8, 2026.
See also List of NCAA Division I softball programs
References
External links