STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – The Niagara baseball team was edged by Rider, 2-1, in the first game of the teams’ three-game season series on Friday.
The first seven innings were a defensive battle between the Purple Eagles and the Broncs, as both teams went scoreless. In the top of the eighth, Kirwer doubled down the left field line to get on base. A sac bunt from Greg Cullen advanced Kirwer to third. Battaglia then tripled to left field, scoring Kirwer to Niagara the 1-0 lead. The Purple Eagles held Rider scoreless in the bottom of the eighth and the Broncs held off NU in the top of the ninth. In the bottom of the ninth, with one runner on base and no outs, Rider’s Dalton Mayberry homered to right field to give the Broncs the 2-1 walk-off win.
Battaglia led Niagara with one RBI and Battaglia, Kirwer, Cullen and Joel Brophy each had one hit.
Cody Eckerson threw 5.2 shutout innings, striking out five batters and allowing only two hits. Matt McCuen (2-1), who struck out one batter and allowed two runs in 0.1 innings pitched, took the loss for the Purple Eagles.
The Purple Eagles play the final two games in their series with Rider on Saturday. The doubleheader starts at noon.
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