NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – Six runs in the fourth inning led the Niagara University baseball team (17-22) to an 8-3 win over the University of Pittsburgh (22-16) Wednesday at Sal Maglie Stadium.

Four Niagara players had multiple hits in the five-run victory, which extended the Purple Eagles’ winning streak to four games.

Leading the team was freshman infielder Andrew MacDonald (Charlottetown, P.E.I.), who went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored in the win.

Sophomore outfielder Brian Clifford (Buffalo) started the scoring in the breakout fourth inning, hitting an RBI-double to left field, which allowed junior Paul Solini (Liverpool, N.Y.) to scored from second and extend Niagara’s lead to 3-0.

The next five Niagara batters reached base, highlighted by MacDonald’s two-run single to right, scoring juniors Jeff Vincent (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) and Matt Schaefer (Clifton Park, N.Y.).

Junior Mike Medici (Latham, N.Y.) registered the final RBI of the fourth, scoring MacDonald from third.

Through the pitching of sophomore Ryan Virtue (Stittsville, Ont.), the Purple Eagles carried a shutout through 8 1-3 innings. Virtue (1-2) pitched 5 1-3 innings in relief of starter Chris Cerchie (Lasalle, Ont.), allowing six hits and striking out two for the win.

Pittsburgh got on the board in the top of the ninth, as junior outfielder David Cline hit a two-run triple to left, scoring Mike Zambrickzki and Edgard Sucre.

Panthers sophomore starter Paul Nardozzi pitched three innings, allowing three hits and two runs in a no decision. Picking up the loss was sophomore Mike Bassage, who pitched a third of an inning and allowed six runs.

Cerchie, prior to being replaced by Virtue due to an injury, pitched three innings of no-hit ball, striking out four.

The Purple Eagles return to action this weekend, traveling to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference leader Marist College for a three-game series at McCann Field.