BUFFALO, N.Y. – Despite making a late-inning comeback, the Niagara University baseball team (13-21) fell to Canisius College (8-24), 8-7, in extra innings Tuesday in the 2005 Big Four Baseball Classic at Dunn Tire Park.

Niagara, the defending Big Four Champions, scored four runs over the eighth and ninth innings to tie the game and send it into extra innings.

In extra innings, Golden Griffins junior infielder Kevin Smith hit a two-out double to left center, allowing freshman Josh Matlow to score from third.

In the bottom of the 10th, Canisius sophomore Matt Wheeler induced three Niagara groundouts to seal the 8-7 victory and allow the Griffs to advance to tomorrow’s Big Four Championship Game.

Propelling the Purple Eagles into extra innings was timely hitting in the eighth and ninth innings.

In the eighth, with Niagara trailing by four runs, a Mike Alati (Woodbridge, Ont.) single scored freshman Andrew MacDonald (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) and junior Andrew MacNevin (St. Catharines, P.E.I.), cutting the deficit to two runs with an inning remaining.

In the bottom of the ninth, with sophomore Brian Clifford (Buffalo) on first, Niagara junior Jeff Vincent (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) hit a sharp double down the right field line, putting the tying runs in scoring position.

After junior Dan Parsons (Liverpool, N.Y.) hit an RBI-single towards second, allowing Clifford to score, MacDonald reached on a fielder’s choice, beating out a throw by Smith at first. On the play, Parsons broke up a potential double play at second, leading to Vincent scoring the game-tying run and sending the game into extra innings.

Leading Niagara in the loss was MacNevin, who went 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. Alati led the Purple Eagles with three RBI, going 1-for-5 from the plate.

Wheeler (2-2) pitched three innings in relief for the Griffs, allowing five hits and three runs for the win. Canisius freshman starter Ian Horner pitched seven innings, allowing five hits and four runs in the no decision.

Niagara junior Kyle Nicoletta (Oakville, Ont.) pitched three innings of relief, allowing three hits and one run while striking out five in the loss. Starting the game for the Purple Eagles, freshman Mark Wilson (Peterborough, Ont.) pitched 3 2-3 innings, allowing four hits and four runs.

Niagara now faces the loser of Tuesday’s other contest between Buffalo and St. Bonaventure. Game time is set for 3 p.m. at Dunn Tire Park, with free admission to all Big Four Baseball Classic games.

This season, the Purple Eagles have a 4-0 record against the Bulls and Bonnies, sweeping doubleheaders against both teams.