Courtesy of PurpleEagles.com
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Purple Eagles baseball team dropped both games of a doubleheader in a tough MAAC matchup at Fairfield on Saturday.
“Obviously a very tough day,” said Niagara head coach Rob McCoy. “We talk all the time about winning pitches and winning innings. Today, we lost two innings that could have changed the outcome of both games. The MAAC is a grind every weekend; the tougher, most determined team usually comes out on top. We will continue to work to be that team every weekend. Today is now over and our focus is being our besttomorrow.”
Game 1: Niagara 2, Fairfield 3
The Purple Eagles (10-22-1, 6-5 MAAC) took a 2-0 lead over the Stags (14-17, 6-2 MAAC) in the top of the fifth inning. With Julian Gallup and Tanner Kirwer already on base, Michael Fuhrman singled to center field, advancing Kirwer, scoring Gallup and earning himself an RBI. Taylor Hackett smacked a single to right field to send home Kirwer and also earn an RBI.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Stags scored one run to half the Purple Eagles’ lead, 2-1. In the top of the eighth, Fairfield took its first lead of the game, holding off the Purple Eagles in the ninth to earn a narrow victory.
Greg Cullen finished game one with a team-high three hits, as well as having the Purple Eagles’ only double of the game. Cody Eckerson struck out three batters and allowed only four hits in his 7.1 innings pitched.
Game 2: Niagara 3, Fairfield 9
In the top of the sixth inning, trailing the Stags 8-0, the Purple Eagles scored their first run of the game. Fuhrman reached base on an error by shortstop and Cullen, who was already on base, was able to score, putting Niagara on the board. Cullen, also, once again led the Purple Eagles with three hits.
Though Fairfield led 9-1 going into the top of the seventh, the Purple Eagles would not go down without a fight. With Owen Dziados on base, Joel Brophy hit his third homer of the season, setting a career-high and giving the Purple Eagles two more runs. Brophy earned two RBIs.
Niagara closes out its three-game series with Fairfield on Sunday, April 17 with first pitch at 12:00 p.m.
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