NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – The baseball team (12-13) received a solid performance from its starting pitching for the second consecutive day in a 5-2 victory over Cleveland State (7-22), Wednesday, at Sal Maglie Stadium. Sophomore Mark Sikorski (Toronto, Ont.) earned his first win at Niagara, scattering two hits in six innings.

"It was nice to see Mark give us a solid outing (Wednesday)," Niagara head coach Chris Chernisky said. "He has bounced back after his injury earlier this season, pitching well in relief for us. His performance today was tremendous."

Sikorski allowed a single in each of the first two innings before retiring the final 10 batters he faced to improve to 1-0 this season. The right-hander didn’t allow a run while striking out three and walking a pair in Niagara’s second-straight victory.

Senior James Boyack (Buffalo, N.Y./Canisius) earned his first career save, pitching the final three innings in the win. He retired the first six batters before allowing two runs and three hits in the final frame.

The Purple Eagles got on the board in the second with a little small ball and some luck. Junior Tim Alberts (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) reached on an error by the Viking second baseman and advanced to second on a walk by classmate Steve Baldinelli (Niagara Falls, Ont.).

Junior Clint Elkins (Kansas City, Mo.) moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt before Alberts scored on a single through the left side. Junior Chris Leendertse (Ancaster, Ont.) blooped a single over the third baseman’s head, scoring Baldinelli to give Niagara a 2-0 lead after two.

Niagara increased its lead to 4-0 without putting the ball into play in the third inning. With runners on first and second base, Chernisky gave the signal for a double steal. Freshman Jason Cramer (Jackson, N.J.) slid in safely to third base and was sent home as CSU’s catcher threw the ball into left field. Second baseman Harrison Harber (Kanata, Ont.) advanced to third on the error and headed home when the left fielder threw the ball over the catcher’s head. He scored as the throw back to the plate from Cleveland State’s pitcher Brian Long sailed wide.

Baldinelli led off the sixth inning with a triple over the right fielder’s head and scored on Elkins’ single to give the Purple Eagles a 5-0 lead.

The Purple Eagles get back into conference play at Le Moyne, April 14, at noon.