Courtesy of PurpleEagles.com
After a slow start to the game for both teams, the Purple Eagles began to show their offensive prowess in the top of the fifth. Julian Gallup singled to first, scoring Trevor McCauley. Joel Brophy grounded out to second, giving Gallup enough time to score and Greg Cullen knocked a run in to put Niagara up 3-0 going into the bottom of the fifth.
With two runners on base in the top of the sixth, Kirwer earned an RBI double, sending home Gallup and McCauley to extend NU’s lead. Brophy then tripled down the right field line to send Kirwer home. Cullen and Battaglia each batted in a run to give Niagara a comfortable 8-0 lead.
Niagara continued to dominate on offense. In the top of the seventh, Nick Bernick reached base on a fielder’s choice and Darian Blanks scored. In the top of the eighth, a score from Battaglia put the Purple Eagles ahead of the Jaspers, 10-0.
Niagara held Manhattan scoreless for nearly the entire game, but the Jaspers scored twice in the bottom of the ninth. Manhattan’s two runs, however, were not enough to usurp Niagara’s lead and the Purple Eagles came away with the 10-2 victory.
Inside the Numbers
· Kirwer, Brophy and Cullen led Niagara with two RBI each and Battaglia had a team-high three hits.
· Kirwer, Gallup and McCauley had a team-best two runs scored each.
· Cody Eckerson (2-1) earned the win on the mound. In his 6.0 innings pitched, he struck out four batters, walked one and allowed only five hits.
Up Next
· The Purple Eagles continue their series with Manhattan on Sunday, March 26 with a doubleheader starting at 11:00 a.m.
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