NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University baseball team (14-16, 8-2) continues its eight-game homestand when it hosts Fairfield (10-16, 5-7) in a three-game series at John P. Bobo Field Saturday and Sunday. Game time for both days is set for noon.
The Purple Eagles enter this weekend’s series with the Stags second in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings, only dropping two of 10 MAAC games this season. In last weekend’s conference action, Niagara swept Saint Peter’s, holding the Peacocks to just two runs in the three games.
Powered by the pitching of sophomores James Avery (Moose Jaw, Sask.) and Kyle Nicoletta (Oakville, Ont.), as well as freshman Josh Sawatzky (Altona, Man.), the Purple Eagles have shut out their opponents in three of their last four games heading into this weekend’s series.
Avery, who leads the team with a 1.96 ERA and is 1-0 on the season, will get the start in the noon game Saturday. In his last outing, Avery pitched seven strong innings, striking out nine hitters while giving up five hits.
Starting in the second game of the Saturday doubleheader will be Sawatzky. The reigning MAAC Pitcher of the Week leads the team in strikeouts (33) and innings pitched (41.1). In his last start, Sawatzky allowed only one hit to Saint Peter’s (April 17), while shutting out the Peacocks for his third win of the season.
Three Niagara players are hitting .300 or better, led by sophomore Mike Alati’s (Woodbridge, Ont.) .360 average, with 31 hits and 17 RBI this season. Vince Ircandia (Calgary, Alb.) and Reed Eastley (Brandon, Man.) are batting .323 and .308, respectively. Eastley leads the Purple Eagles in hits (33), RBI (29) and home runs (6).
Fairfield has struggled of late, losing four of its last five games and being outscored 34-12 during the five-game stretch. The Stags enter the series with a 5-7 conference record, sitting sixth in the MAAC standings.
One bright area for Fairfield has been its pitching. Senior Tom Maisano and junior Tim Dugan are among the MAAC leaders in earned-run average and strikeouts. Maisano, 4-1 on the season, leads the Stags in wins (4) and innings pitched (41.0), while carrying a 2.41 ERA. Dugan leads the team in strikeouts, with 37 in seven appearances.
From the plate, sophomore Doug Anderson and senior Nick Hudyma lead the team in batting, both hitting .287. Anderson has 27 hits, six doubles and 17 RBI this season. Outfielder Antuan Barnett, hitting .258, leads the Stags with 21 RBI.
Fairfield won two of three games against Niagara last season.
