NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – Sophomore Kyle Nicoletta’s one-hit complete game led the Niagara University baseball team (14-16) to a 1-0 win in the second game and a split in the doubleheader against the University of Akron (18-13) Tuesday at Sal Maglie Field, in Niagara Falls, N.Y. The Purple Eagles fell in the first game, 9-5, to the Zips.
Nicoletta, from Oakville, Ont., struck out six batters and gave up only one walk in his seven-inning win, his fourth of the season. The lone Akron hit given up by the sophomore pitcher was a leadoff single in the sixth inning by Zips outfielder Charlie Lenhard.
The Purple Eagles return to action Saturday against Fairfield in a three-game weekend series at John Bobo Field.. Saturday’s doubleheader is set to begin at noon.
Game 1 - Akron 9, Niagara 5
After Niagara took a 3-0 lead in the first inning, with senior Tim Fitzgerald (Orchard Park, N.Y.) driving in the first run with a no-out double to right center, Akron proceeded to score nine runs over the following two innings.
With no outs and the bases loaded in the second, a double to left field, off Niagara freshman pitcher Daniel Griffin (Schenectady, N.Y.), by Shaun Hinssen drove home the first two Zips runs of a six-run second inning. Terry Pettorini singled to scored two more runs for Akron in the second.
In the third inning, singles by Tony Maccani and Doug Kruthaupt scored three more runs for the Zips, extending the Akron lead to 9-3.
Hits by Mike Alati (Woodbridge, Ont.) and Greg Lehman (Croghan, N.Y.), in the third and fifth inning, respectively, scored the final two runs of the game for the Purple Eagles.
In relief, Niagara senior pitcher Jeff Finucane (Rochester, N.Y.) did not allow a hit in his four innings of work, coming in for Matt Fuller (Rochester, N.Y.) in the top of the fourth inning.
Akron senior Bryan Celik earned the win for the Zips, giving up four hits and a run, while striking out two.
Game 2 - Niagara 1, Akron 0
Both Nicoletta and Zips pitcher Asif Shah did not allow a hit in the first two innings of play, with both teams combining for just three hits in a highly-contested pitchers duel.
A sacrifice fly to left field in the fourth inning by junior Reed Eastley (Brandon, Man.), scoring teammate Paul Solini (Liverpool, N.Y.) would serve as the difference for the Purple Eagles in the one-run victory.
In the win, Nicoletta set a career record for fewest hits and walks allowed in a start, giving up only one of each.
