NIAGARA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — The Purple Eagles are headed to the MAAC Championships for the first time since 2006 after a 3-1 victory over the Manhattan Jaspers on Saturday. Niagara clinched the sixth and final spot in the tournament.
Game Summary
Final Score: Niagara 3, Manhattan 1
Game Leaders: Greg Cullen (2H, 2 RBIs), Wyatt Olson(2H, 1 RBI)
On the Mound: Matthew Brash (8.2 IP, 4H, 8 SO, 133 pitches thrown)
Records: Niagara (24-25, 13-11 MAAC), Manhattan (25-28, 13-11 MAAC)
Location: Bobo Field – Niagara University, N.Y.
Game Recap
- The Purple Eagles came out hot on offense. In the bottom of the first, Cullen doubled to right center, scoring Julian Gallup. Olson singled to left field, plating Cullen and giving Niagara a 2-0 lead going into the second frame.
- In the bottom of the second, a sacrifice fly from Cullen scored Joseph Tevlin to extend Niagara’s lead, 3-0.
- The remainder of the game was a pitchers’ duel. Brash had a remarkable game on the mound, allowing only four hits and one unearned run in 8.2 innings pitched.
- Despite Manhattan’s run in the top of the ninth inning, the Purple Eagles held steady, clinching a play-off spot for the first time in 12 seasons.
Inside the Numbers
- Cullen, the nation’s leader in batting average and on-base percentage, led the Purple Eagles with two RBIs.
- Cullen, Gallup and Olson each recorded a team-best two hits.
- Brash (3-1) struck out eight batters, tying his career-high.
- Tyler Howard earned his third save of the season.
- The Purple Eagles’ 24 regular season wins are tied for sixth-most in program history. Niagara’s 13 MAAC wins are the most since the 2010 season.
Up Next
- The No. 6 seed Purple Eagles will face the No. 3 seed Canisius Golden Griffins in the first game of the MAAC tournament on Wednesday, May 23 at 12:00 p.m. in Staten Island, N.Y.
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