STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
NIAGARA UNIV. — The Niagara baseball team earned a 6-5 walk-off win over defending MAAC champions Fairfield in extra innings on Friday.
The Stags got on the board in the top of the third inning, taking a 1-0 lead over Niagara, but a two-run homerun from Battaglia in the top of the fourth quickly put NU in the lead, 2-1. Niagara extended its lead in the top of the seventh. With bases loaded, Brophy was hit by a pitch, sending home Trevor McCauley. With bases still loaded, Owen Dziados reached base on an error by Fairfield’s first baseman, scoring Philippe Langlois to put the Purple Eagles ahead of the MAAC-leading Stags, 4-1.
The Stags made a comeback in the top of the ninth and took back the lead, 5-4, but Niagara tied things up, 5-5, in the bottom of the ninth after Tanner Kirwer singled to short to score Julian Gallup and force the game into extra innings. In the top of the tenth inning, with two outs on the board and a runner on second base, Matt McCuen struck out Fairfield’s Tim Zeng to keep the Purple Eagles alive. In the bottom of the tenth, with bases loaded, Brophy reached base on a fielder’s choice, scoring Battaglia for the game-winning run.
The Purple Eagles continue their series with Fairfield on Saturday. They host the Stags for a doubleheader at Bobo Field starting at noon.
