NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – One bad inning put the baseball team (9-11, 2-4 MAAC) in chase mode, and the Purple Eagles were unable to produce an offensive threat in a 5-1 loss to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) foe Iona (8-14, 4-2 MAAC), Sunday, at Sal Maglie Stadium.

Poor fielding didn’t cost Niagara in Saturday’s doubleheader sweep, but five errors came back to haunt the Purple Eagles in the series finale.

"We were fortunate (Saturday) to get two wins with our defensive miscues," Niagara head coach Chris Chernisky. "Unfortunately, today we were unable to tighten up our defense. Hats off to the opposing pitcher. He pitched well and was able to hold the lead for Iona."

The Gaels put four runs on the board in the fourth inning and never looked back. Back-to-back doubles by Nick Capowski and Kevin McGovern knocked in three runs before McGovern scored an unearned run for a 4-0 Iona lead.

Senior Ryan Virtue (Stittsville, Ont.) allowed four runs, three earned. The left-hander (1-1) struck out three and gave five hits in the loss. Iona’s Justin Wiley went the distance, allowing one run on six hits. The freshman left-hander struck out six without walking a batter.

Niagara’s lone run came in the ninth inning after a leadoff triple by junior second baseman Harrison Harber (Kanata, Ont.). Left fielder Tim Alberts (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) picked up the RBI on a ground out, and Niagara’s late-inning threat was over.

Junior catcher Clint Elkins (Kansas City, Mo.) had a team-high two hits in the loss.

The Purple Eagles travel to face Big Four opponent St. Bonaventure in a doubleheader Tuesday, starting at 2 p.m.