May 24, 2024

Niagara advances to final

Pomona, N.Y. — The Niagara Purple Eagles earned a spot in the Metro Atlantic Conference Championship Series with an 8-6 win over Mount St. Mary’s in the final non-elimination game of the tournament on Friday.

How it Happened

Mount took an early lead in the top of the second as they scored three runs on four hits.

The Purple Eagles got on the board in the bottom of the second inning. Gavin Schrader opened the inning with a single and was followed by Matt Ward (Mississauga, Ont.) who singled to put a pair of runners on. On a 1-1 pitch, Vincent Mauro singled through the left side to bring home Schrader from second with the first Niagara run.

Niagara put up four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 5-3 lead. Brady Desjardins opened the inning with a single up the middle and then moved to third as Eric Rataczak reached on an error. Two pitches later, Schrader lifted a flyball to center field to bring home Desjardins on a sacrifice fly. Ward and Mauro then drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Kelly Corl stepped to the plate and blooped a 0-1 pitch to right field to tie the game at three as Rataczak scored. After a strikeout, Nick Monile singled to center field to bring home a pair of Niagara runs as the Purple Eagles took a 5-3 lead.

In the top of the seventh, Mount St. Mary’s scored a run to cut it to a 5-4 Niagara lead.

The Purple Eagles added to their lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jake Hutchins pinch hit to open the inning, Hutchins singled to left field and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Monile then drew a walk to put runners on first and second with no outs. With the lineup turning over, Nick Groves (London, Ont.) put down a bunt to move both runners up 90 feet. Desjardins stepped to the plate and worked a 2-2 count before singling to center field to bring home Hutchins from third. Monile then came home to score on a wild pitch to give Niagara a 7-4 lead. Rataczak was intentionally walked to put runners on first and second. After a pitching change and a popout, Ward roped the first pitch he saw through the left side to bring home Desjardins.

The Mount hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth but their comeback came up short as Niagara secured the win.

Niagara Notes

-Niagara advances to the MAAC Championship for the second time in program history with the other coming in 2005. Niagara is seeking its first MAAC Baseball Championship.

-Noah Richardson was the first pitcher out of the bullpen for the Purple Eagles as he came in with one out in the second inning. He went two innings while allowing just one hit and no runs while striking out two batters.

-Steven Hospital (Oakville, Ont.) picked up his second win of the season as he went 1 2/3 innings, he allowed just two hits and no runs. He induced three groundouts and one fly ball. He made his 91st career appearance as a Purple Eagle which is tied for the most in program history.

-Zach Cameron (Hamilton, Ont.) took the mound in the top of the sixth inning. He went three innings and allowed just one hit and one run while striking out four batters.

-Liam Reynolds got the final out of the game as he got a strikeout swinging to close out the game. He picked up his third save of the season.

-Desjardins went 3-5 at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI. He extended his on-base streak to 29 games. It is also the 16th multi-hit game of the season for the senior.

-Ward and Corl each had two hits. Ward is leading Niagara in the MAAC Tournament as he is hitting .833 through two games, he is 5-for-6 with a home run and three RBIs.

-Nine Purple Eagles reached base safely including eight of the nine Niagara starters. Eight Purple Eagles had a hit in the game.

-Six different Purple Eagles drove in a run the game, Monile drove in two in the win. It is the 11th time this season that Monile drove in multiple runs.

-Through two games in the MAAC Championships, as a team Niagara is hitting .371 while opponents are hitting .227.

-Niagara out-hit Mount St. Mary’s 12-10, Niagara is 29-6 this season when out-hitting its opponents.

-The Purple Eagles led after six innings for the 33rd time this season. Niagara is 32-1 this season when leading after six innings.

Up Next

Niagara plays in its second-ever MAAC Championship game on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for noon at Clover Stadium in Pomona, N.Y. The Purple Eagles will face No. 1 Fairfield, No. 4 Mount St. Mary’s, or No. 6 Marist depending on results on Friday night. The Purple Eagles need to win one of two possible games to secure their first MAAC title.