CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The University of North Carolina Charlotte (9-3) had its biggest offensive output of the season, defeating the Niagara University baseball team (0-8), 12-9, Saturday at Phillips Field.
Although allowing 12 runs in the loss, only five of the Charlotte runs were earned, as the Purple Eagles committed a season-high six errors.
"It was a bad day today. We did not play baseball the way it was meant to be played," Niagara head coach Chris Chernisky said. "Poor starting pitching, combined with poor fielding, resulted in poor play. We need to bounce back tomorrow."
Junior Mike Ambrose and senior Adam Willard led Charlotte in the win, both finishing with four RBI in the contest.
The 49ers benefitted from an early lead for the second consecutive game, scoring five runs in the first inning.
With two on and Charlotte holding a 1-0 lead in the first, Ambrose hit a triple to left center, scoring sophomore Spencer Steedley and sophomore Chris Lane, giving the 49ers a 3-0 lead. Ambrose -- who finished 4-for-4 in the win -- would later score on a home run by freshman O’Brien Taylor in the first, extending the lead to 5-0 for Charlotte.
Down seven runs, Niagara attempted a late comeback in the eighth.
With junior Jeff Vincent (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) and freshman Tim Alberts (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) on, freshman Ray Ciancaglini (Geneva, N.Y.) singled to score the first two runs of the four-run inning for the Purple Eagles. Freshman Chris Leendertse (Ancaster, Ont.) and junior Paul Solini (Liverpool, N.Y.) had the other two RBI in the eighth for Niagara.
In the ninth, with Niagara trailing by three runs, Charlotte junior Erik Walker earned his fourth save of the season, shutting the door on the Purple Eagles’ comeback attempt. Walker struck out two in the top of the ninth inning for the 49ers.
Picking up the win was junior Derek McDaid (2-1) who went six innings, giving up five hits and striking out four.
Sophomore Dan Griffin (Schenectady, N.Y.) pitched three innings, giving up seven hits and five earned runs.
Vincent, Ciancaglini, along with sophomore Brian Clifford (Buffalo) all finished with two RBI in the loss.
The two teams conclude the three-game series Sunday at Phillips Field, on the campus of UNC-Charlotte, with the first pitch scheduled for noon.
