JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Niagara University baseball team (0-1) opened the season with a 5-4 loss to East Tennessee State University (1-0) Friday at Cardinal Park, in Johnson City, Tenn.

Despite falling behind by four runs, the Purple Eagles made a late comeback, tying the score at 4-4 after the top of the eighth inning, scoring four runs in the seventh and eighth innings.

After junior Paul Solini (Liverpool, N.Y.) walked, driving-in junior Matt Schaefer (Clifton Park, N.Y.) for the Purple Eagles’ first run of the contest, junior Andrew MacNevin (St. Catharines, P.E.I.) singled to right field off of Buccaneers freshman pitcher Jonathan Stoudt. Niagara senior Reed Eastley (Brandon, Man.) and junior Mike Alati (Woodbridge, Ont.) scored on the MacNevin single, cutting the ETSU lead to 4-3 following the seventh inning.

Down by one run in the eighth, with Chris Leendertse (Ancaster, Ont.) on first, freshman Andrew Macdonald (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) tripled to center field, completing the Niagara comeback and tying the score at 4-4.

In the bottom of the eighth, ETSU senior Nick Crowe’s single scored junior Anthony Russell from third, giving the Buccaneers the go-ahead run and leading ETSU to the 5-4 victory.

ETSU senior Caleb Moore, who went 1 2/3 innings with one hit and no runs, completed a 1-2-3 ninth for the win.

Niagara starting pitcher James Avery (Moose Jaw, Sask.) went five innings, giving up eight hits and striking out four batters in a no decision.

The two teams conclude the three-game series in a doubleheader at Cardinal Park Saturday. The doubleheader is set to begin at Noon, with Sunday’s game changed to Saturday due to the possibility of inclement weather.