STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Purple Eagles baseball team was edged by Monmouth, 8-6, in the first game of a three-game series on Saturday.
The Hawks took a quick lead over the Purple Eagles and were on top, 5-0, going into the fourth inning. Niagara got on the board in the top of the fifth. With two runners on base, Kirwer grounded out to second base, scoring Geoff Seto and advancing Blanks to third. Greg Cullen then singled to left field, sending blanks home to put NU down by only three runs, 5-2. Monmouth scored once more in the bottom of the fifth, but the Purple Eagles made a comeback in the top of the sixth. With runners on first and second, Blanks singled, then advanced to third on a throwing error by the Hawks pitcher. Seto and Owen Dziados both scored on the error. Kirwer doubled down the third base line, scoring Blanks, and Peter Battaglia singled down the right field line to score Kirwer and tie up the score, 6-6.
The Hawks broke the tie in the bottom of the sixth, scoring to take a one-run lead, 7-6. They held the Purple Eagles scoreless for the remainder of the game and scored once more to cement their victory.
The Purple Eagles and the Hawks will play a doubleheader beginning at noon on Sunday. The games will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
