NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – Rider University (17-29, 11-13) defeated the Niagara University baseball team (20-25, 13-9), 8-6, in the home finale Monday at Sal Maglie Stadium. The loss to the Broncs snapped the Purple Eagles’ 11-game home winning streak.
Last losing a home game March 28 against Siena, Niagara was plagued by errors in the two-run loss to the Broncs, as six of the eight Rider runs were unearned.
With Rider trailing 4-3 in the top of the sixth, the first three Bronc batters reached base. With the bases loaded and the go-ahead run in scoring position, Niagara sophomore pitcher Josh Sawatzky (Altona, Man.) threw a wild pitch that allowed Bronc sophomore catcher Scott Knazek to score from third to tie the game.
After junior Justin Squashic was intentionally walked to load the bases, Rider sophomore Brad States lined a single to center field, scoring two runs and giving the Broncs a 6-4 advantage, a lead they would not relinquish.
Rider would score two more runs in the top of the ninth, paced by Knazek’s RBI-double to right, to take an 8-5 lead into the bottom half of the final inning.
In the bottom of the ninth, junior Dan Parsons (Liverpool, N.Y.) hit a triple to right, later scoring on a groundout by freshman Andrew MacDonald (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) to cut the Rider lead to two runs.
Niagara was unable to complete the comeback, as Bronc sophomore relief pitcher Mike Dyszel induced a groundout by junior Andrew MacNevin (St. Catharines, P.E.I.) for the final out.
Building off of the doubleheader sweep of Rider Sunday, Niagara jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first inning.
In the first, with MacDonald and junior Mike Medici (Latham, N.Y.) on base, junior Mike Alati (Woodbridge, Ont.) drove a single to center field, scoring MacDonald and giving the Purple Eagles an early 1-0 lead.
After senior Reed Eastley (Brandon, Man.) was hit by a pitch to load the bases, junior Paul Solini (Liverpool, N.Y.) hit a single to right, scoring two more runs for the Purple Eagles.
Eastley would score the final run of the breakout first, scoring on a wild pitch by Rider starting pitcher Derek Caldwell.
Despite allowing four runs in the opening inning, Caldwell (3-6) regrouped to hold Niagara scoreless for the next six innings, earning his third win of the season. The freshman pitcher went eight innings, allowing six hits and striking out seven in the win.
Sawatzky (4-6) went 6 2-3 innings, allowing five hits and striking out three.
Niagara, entering the final week of the 2005 regular season, has little time to rest following this past weekend’s three-game series with the Broncs. The Purple Eagles face the University at Buffalo Tuesday at Amherst Audubon Field, in Buffalo. This season, Niagara is 2-1 against the Bulls, last facing Buffalo April 26 in the 2005 Big Four Baseball Classic, played at Dunn Tire Park. Game time Tuesday is set for 4:30 p.m.
