Courtesy of PurpleEagles.com
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – After dropping a close 3-2 decision to Marist in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday, the Purple Eagles bounced back with a 7-3 win in game two.
“I’m proud of the way these guys handled the adversity we were dealt this weekend,” said head coach Rob McCoy. “Having to travel for home games last minute due to weather is a tough thing to handle. Marist is a solid club which also made for a tough weekend. All in all, being able to leave here winning game three to avoid the sweep showed a lot of grit and I’m proud of the guys for that. We will regroup and continue to compete this week.”
Game 1: Niagara 2, Marist 3
Marist (14-13, 6-3 MAAC) took an early 1-0 lead over the Purple Eagles, but Niagara (10-20-1, 6-3 MAAC) tied up the game in the bottom of the second inning. With two outs and Greg Rodgers on first base, Christian Vangeison drew a walk, advancing Rodgers. Owen Dziados smacked a single up the middle, giving Rodgers enough time to round home plate for the game-tying run.
Niagara took its first lead of the game in the bottom of the third. With Tanner Kirwer already on base, Michael Fuhrman singled to third. Kirwer advanced to second and then, on the throw, was able to advance to third. Rodgers fouled out to first base, scoring Kirwer.
The Red Foxes held Niagara off for the remainder of the game and took back their lead in the top of the sixth.
Kirwer had a team-high two hits in game one and Dziados and Rodgers each had one RBI. Matt McCuen (2-3) struck out one batter and allowed only one hit in his 1.2 innings pitched.
Game 2: Niagara 7, Marist 3
The Purple Eagles struck first in game two. Greg Cullen had his first of a team-high three hits, singling to left field. Fuhrman singled through the right side, and Cullen was able to advance to third, putting him in scoring position. Rodgers was reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring Cullen and earning an RBI.
In the bottom of the third, with Kirwer already on base, Cullen doubled to left center to send Kirwer home. Cullen advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored his second run of the day on an error by the catcher. Rodgers once again reached base on a fielder’s choice and was able to advance to third after a Taylor Hackett single to right field. Geoff Seto reached on a fielder’s choice; Rodgers scored, Seto earned an RBI and the Purple Eagles took a 4-0 lead over the Red Foxes.
Zachary Kolodziejski (2-3) struck out five batters and held the Red Foxes to only five hits in his 7.0 innings pitched. Marist also remained scoreless through those seven innings.
The Purple Eagles further extended their lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. Darian Blanks, who was pinch running for Rodgers after he singled to left field, scored after Seto singled down the right field line. Seto earned his second RBI of the game.
Kirwer had his second hit in the bottom of the eighth inning, smacking a single through the left side. He was able to steal second, and then advanced to third. Vangeison singled through the left side, scoring Kirwer for Niagara’s final run of the day.
The Purple Eagles take their home field for the first time this season with a doubleheader against St. Bonaventure on Tuesday, April 12.
Other Games in the MAAC:
Game one Rider 4 Sacred Heart 2
Game two Sacred Heart 7 Rider 4
Manhattan 4 Canisius 3
Game one Fairfield 2 Iona 1
Game two Fairfield 7 Iona 1
Game one Monmouth 4 Saint Peter’s 1
Game two Saint Peter’s 8 Monmouth 7
Siena 8 Quinnipiac 7
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