LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - The Niagara offense sputtered in the third game of the MAAC-opening baseball series at Siena on Easter Sunday, as the Purple Eagles (8-8, 1-2 MAAC) fell to the Saints (3-13, 2-1 MAAC) 9-1. Despite jumping out to an early 1-0 lead, the potent Purple Eagle offense managed just one hit in the final five innings.

The Saints blew open the game in the fourth inning with four unearned runs. Sophomore starter Marcus Spaulding (Copenhagen, N.Y.) committed an error that would have ended the Siena threat, but four runners crossed the plate as the Saints took a 5-1 lead.

Spaulding (2-1) pitched four innings, allowing five runs, while walking four in his first loss of the season. Mark Sikorski (Toronto, Ont.) and Aaron Bjorkquist (Daly City, Calif.) combined to allow four runs in relief.

Jason Cramer (Jackson, N.J.) led off the contest with a walk and eventually scored on a bases-loaded walk by Frank Kurnik (Reno, Nev.). The Purple Eagles, however, left the bases loaded.

Niagara managed just five hits in the loss, and did not collect a hit after an Andrew Macdonald (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) leadoff single in the fifth inning.

The Purple Eagles continue their brief road trip before returning home for a MAAC series with Fairfield on March 29 & 30. Niagara plays at Cleveland State on Tuesday and at Duquesne on Wednesday.