NORFOLK, Va. – The Niagara baseball team shut out Norfolk State in both games of a doubleheader on Saturday.
Game 1: Niagara 9, Norfolk State 0
Niagara (2-3) dominated Norfolk State (3-3) in the first game of the series. The Purple Eagles came out hot on offense early in the game. In the top of the third, Tanner Kirwer doubled down the left field line to score Julian Gallup. Wyatt Olson reached base on a fielding error by third base, then advanced to second, giving Kirwer enough time to score. Freshman Peter Battaglia then recorded his first career triple to score Olson. Battaglia then scored to give Niagara the 4-0 lead.
With two runners on base in the top of the fourth, Greg Cullen hit his first homerun of the season, earning three RBIs, to put Niagara up 7-0 on the Spartans. Niagara continued their strong play through the remainder of the game, scoring two more times in the top of the seventh and keeping Norfolk State scoreless to come away with the shutout victory. Kirwer and Olson led Niagara with two runs each and Cullen had a team-high three RBIs. On the mound, Cody Eckerson (1-1) struck out four batters in 5.0 innings pitched.
Game 2: Niagara 4, Norfolk State 0
Niagara once again was dominant over the Spartans in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, which ended after seven innings. In the top of the third, with Kirwer and Gallup on base, Cullen singled to left field and advanced to second on a fielding error, sending home both Kirwer and Gallup. Olson then hit the first homerun of his Niagara career to score Cullen.
Cullen and Olson led the team with two RBIs each. Daniel Procopio (1-1) struck out nine batters and allowed only one hit in 6.0 innings pitched.
Niagara closes out its series with Norfolk State at noon Sunday. The Purple Eagles will compete in the University of Virginia Tournament in Charlottesville, Va. March 3-5. Niagara will face LaSalle on March 3 and 5 and Virginia on March 3 and 4.
from PurpleEagles.com via IFTTT
