Niagara University, NY- The Niagara University Purple Eagles defeated visiting Rider Broncs by a score of 9-8.

Josh McCurdy (Thornhill, Ont) lead the way for the Purple Eagles as he was 3-5 with two stolen bases and the game winning run.

Niagara struck first as they scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning, but Rider would not roll over as they came right back in the top of the second inning scoring three runs their own. Niagara would go on to score runs in two of their next three innings to take a 6-3 lead going into the top of the fifth.

Rider would score five times in the top of the fifth inning to take a 8-6 lead going into the bottom of the inning Niagara would score twice to tie the game up in the bottom of the fifth.

The Purple Eagles would manufacture a run in the sixth when Josh McCurdy reached on a base hit to center and then would go on to steal second and third. McCurdy's persistence would pay of as AJ Bastito would throw a wild pitch which allowed McCurdy to score.

Chris Cerchie (Windsor, Ont) would come into the game in the sixth inning and would slam the door shut as he would not allow a run. Cerhchie would earn the win and improves to 2-2 on the season.

Having multi hit games for the Purple Eagles were Josh McCurdy 3-5, and Vince Ircandia (Calgary, AB) 2-4.

With the win Niagara improves to 10-7 in the MAAC and reaches .500 overall with a record of 19-19. Rider drops to 8-10 in the MAAC and 15-21 overall.

Niagara heads back to the diamond on Tuesday afternoon as they take on the Pittsburg Panthers for a 2pm start at Bobo Memorial Field.