BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Niagara baseball team (8-9, 1-3 MAAC) dropped its third-straight conference contest in a 13-3 decision with Fairfield (6-13, 3-1 MAAC). The contest, which was moved to Demske Sports Complex in Buffalo, N.Y., lasted 3 1/2 hours in cold conditions.

Niagara managed just five hits in the loss and struck out a season-high 15 times. Fairfield's Rob Gariano pitched six innings, allowing three hits while striking out eight before Kevin Fico earned a three-inning save while striking out seven, including the final six batters of the game.

Fairfield's Tucker Nathans went 4-for-5 with three singles and the game-winning hit, a three-run home run in the fifth inning. With the Purple Eagles leading 3-2, senior pitcher Mark Wilson (Peterborough, Ont.) allowed a leadoff single and a one-out walk before surrendering the game-changing home run to right field.

Nathans blast gave the Stags a 5-3 lead, one they would not relinquish. Fairfield scored eight runs in the final three innings, six unearned, to stretch the advantage to 13-3, the final margin.

Second baseman Harrison Harber (Kanata, Ont.) went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Andrew Macdonald (Charlottetown, P.E.I), Chris Leendertse (Ancaster, Ont.) and Matt Lucchesi (San Francisco, Calif.) collected the other three Niagara hits.

Wilson fell to 1-3 on the season, allowing five runs on seven hits while walking four. Michael Kellar (Colifax, Ill.) and Brad Lueck (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) each allowed four runs, three unearned, in the loss.

The two teams will meet at Demske Sports Complex on Sunday for a double header that will take place following a single game between Canisius and Iona.