NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Junior pitcher James Avery (Moose Jaw, Sask.) struck out a career-high 12 batters to help lead the Niagara University baseball team (6-17, 4-3) to a 6-2 win over Iona College (4-21, 2-6) Sunday at Bobo Field.

Completing the three-game sweep of the weekend series against the Gaels, the Purple Eagles did not allow a run in the final six innings of the contest, led by the pitching of Avery. Allowing eight hits in the win and not walking a batter, Avery improved his record to 2-2 on the season.

Niagara took a 1-0 lead in the second inning off a solo home run to right by junior Andrew MacNevin (St. Catharines, P.E.I.), his second of the series with Iona.

The next inning following MacNevin’s home run, the Gaels took their only lead of the contest, scoring two runs led by a solo home run by sophomore A.J. Dederick.

Trailing 2-1, Niagara regained the lead, scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth. With freshman Andrew MacDonald (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) and junior Matt Schaefer (Clifton Park, N.Y.) on base, junior Dan Parsons (Liverpool, N.Y.) hit a three-run homer to left field, his first of the season.

The final two runs in the win came in the eighth inning, as junior Mike Medici (Latham, N.Y.) hit an RBI-triple to center field, scoring sophomore Brian Clifford (Buffalo) from second. Medici would later score on a single by junior Paul Solini (Liverpool, N.Y.).

Iona sophomore starting pitcher Nick Stanziani pitched seven innings in the loss, allowing eight hits and five runs, while striking out six.

Now 4-3 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play, the three-game sweep of Iona is the first weekend sweep of the season for the Purple Eagles, who outscored the Gaels, 23-10, in the three games.

Niagara returns to action Tuesday, hosting the University at Buffalo in a doubleheader at Sal Maglie Field, in Niagara Falls, N.Y.