NIAGARA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
NIAGARA UNIV. — The Purple Eagles baseball team split a doubleheader with Siena to kick off their final home series of the 2017 season on Thursday.
Game 1: Niagara 7, Siena 4
- The Purple Eagles (23-20, 11-9 MAAC) took an early lead in the bottom of the first. Peter Battaglia singled to second base, scoring Tanner Kirwer to put Niagara ahead of the Saints, 1-0.
- In the bottom of the third inning, Trevor McCauley doubled through the right side, sending Greg Cullen home. Wyatt Olson then had a two RBI single to extend Niagara’s lead, 4-0.
- A two RBI single from Siena (18-26-2, 9-11 MAAC) in the top of the fifth halved NU’s lead, 4-2.
- McCauley singled to left field to score Battaglia in the bottom of the seventh. Philippe Langlois doubled to left center to knock in another run for the Purple Eagles and give them a 6-2 advantage going into the eighth inning.
- A one-run homerun from Siena’s Phil Madonna in the top of the eighth once again halved Niagara’s lead, 6-3, but, in the bottom of the eighth, Darian Blanks scored Joel Brophy on a sacrifice fly to put NU up by four runs, 7-3.
- Despite a score from Siena in the top of the ninth, the Purple Eagles defense held steady and NU earned the 7-4 game one win.
- McCauley and Olson led the Purple Eagles with two RBI each and McCauley and Battaglia each had a team-best two hits.
- On the mound, Cody Eckerson (5-2) had a strong outing; he fanned a season-high eight batters in 5.0 innings pitched.
- Matthew Brash closed out the game for the Purple Eagles and earned his first career save.
Game 2: Siena 12, Niagara 3
- The Saints came out strong on offense in game two, taking an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first after a three-run homerun from Nico Ramos.
- Siena tacked on four runs to its lead in the top of the third, getting ahead of Niagara, 7-0. In the top of the fifth, a one-run homer from Brian Kelly and a grand slam from Ben Rhodes gave the Saints a commanding 12-0 lead.
- The Purple Eagles began to pick up some offensive momentum in the bottom of the fifth inning. With bases loaded, Battaglia singled to right field, scoring Nick Bernick. McCauley then singled to left center, sending home Cullen and Kirwer to put the score at 12-3.
- The Saints, however, stifled Niagara’s attempts at a comeback and came away with the win.
- McCauley led Niagara with two RBI and he and Kirwer each had a team-high two hits.
- Daniel Procopio (6-3) took the loss for Niagara; he struck out one batter and allowed six earned runs in 2.0 innings pitched.
Up Next
- The Purple Eagles play their final home game of the regular season on Friday, May 12 against Siena at 12:00 p.m. The team’s graduating seniors will be honored prior to the start of the game.
Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and @NiagaraBASE. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles.