STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
BRONX — The Purple Eagles baseball team dropped two close games to conference opponent Manhattan on Sunday.
Game 1: Manhattan 4, Niagara 2
The Jaspers (5-13, 2-1 MAAC) took an early lead, getting ahead of Niagara 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning. In the top of the second, Geoff Seto batted in Owen Dziados to put Niagara (10-9, 1-2 MAAC) on the board and cut Manhattan’s lead in half, 2-1. Manhattan extended its lead in the fourth inning, scoring two more times to get ahead of NU, 3-1. In the top of the fifth, Joel Brophy scored on a passed ball to put the Purple Eagles down by only two runs, 4-2. Despite holding the Jaspers scoreless for the remainder of the game, Manhattan also held Niagara off and earned the victory. Seto led NU with one RBI and Tanner Kirwer had a team-best three hits, one double and two stolen bases.
On the mound, Daniel Procopio (2-2) struck out five batters in 3.0 innings pitched.
Game 2: Manhattan 6, Niagara 5
In the second game, Manhattan once again took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Purple Eagles quickly answered. In the top of the third, with two runners on base, Dziados singled to second, sending home Brophy. Peter Battaglia, who advanced to third on a throwing error on the previous play, was sent home by Trevor McCauley. Nick Bernick then singled up the middle, knocking in a run to give Niagara a 3-2 lead over the Jaspers. In the bottom of the fourth, Manhattan took back the lead, 4-3, but Niagara tied things up, 4-4, in the top of the sixth; Brophy singled through the left side to score Bernick. In the top of the eighth inning, NU reclaimed its lead. Julian Gallup doubled to left field to send home Darian Blanks and put the Purple Eagles ahead, 5-4. Manhattan, however, answered quickly in the bottom of the eighth, scoring twice to get ahead 6-5. The Jaspers held NU off for the remainder of the game to come away with their second victory of the day. Dziados led Niagara with three hits and Brophy, Dziados, McCauley, Gallup and Bernick each recorded one RBI. Matthew Brash struck out seven batters and allowed four runs in 6.0 innings pitched. Matt McCuen (0-1), who pitched the final inning, took the loss for the Purple Eagles.
The Purple Eagles host Saint Peter’s to open their home schedule April 1-2. Niagara and the Peacocks will play a doubleheader on Saturday starting at noon. and a single game on April 2 starting at noon.
