Fishkill, New York (May 23, 2003) - In the second straight game, the Niagara baseball team (26-25) took a one-run lead into the bottom of the ninth inning, only to lose a MAAC tournament contest. On Friday, Manhattan (26-25) turned the trick, rallying for two runs in the ninth with back-to-back triples, followed by a game-winning sacrifice fly. Manhattan won the contest, 3-2, and the Purple Eagles were eliminated from the tournament. Niagara lost on Thursday to Marist, 4-3, in a game that the Purple Eagles led 3-2 entering the ninth.

On Friday, senior right-hander Sean Haggerty limited Manhattan to three hits and one run over the first eight innings. In the ninth, he gave up the back-to-back triples to Jonathan Holzer and Gary Diaz to tie the game. Then, after Eric Fierro was walked intentionally, Josh Greco his a sacrifice fly to center to plate the winning run.

After giving up a run in the first inning, Niagara tied the game in the third when Reed Eastley scored on a Josh McCurdy ground ball that second baseman Gary Diaz misplayed. Niagara took the lead in the eighth when Greg Lehman scored on a Vince Ircandia sacrifice fly.

Niagara finishes the 2003 season with 26 wins, setting a Purple Eagle record. Niagara advanced to the MAAC Tournament for the first time since 1997 and the second time in school history.