SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Niagara baseball team (5-4) earned a double-header split on Sunday against Wofford (9-3) at Russell C. King Stadium. The Purple Eagles won the first game 5-4, but dropped game two 7-6.

"We are not pleased to lose three out of four to a quality opponent this weekend," Niagara head coach Chris Chernisky said. "With that being said, the team did scratch out a win in game three, and with a little better defense, we could have salvaged a split by winning game four. We are continuing to progress, especially with our relief pitching this weekend."

Wofford, a team that qualified for the NCAA Regionals last season as the SoCon Champions, became the first team to outhit Niagara this season, collecting 18 hits in the day two split, to NU's 13. The Terriers outhit the Purple Eagles 19-11 in a Saturday sweep, winning 4-0 and 7-1. Prior to this weekend, Niagara had outhit its opponents 79-37 in five games.

Niagara 5, Wofford 4
Senior Steve Baldinelli (Niagara Falls, Ont.) hit a two-run home run to give Niagara a 4-3 lead in the fourth inning, and freshman Jonny Smith (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) drew a walk, stole a base and scored on a passed ball later that inning to give Niagara enough offense despite collecting only three hits in the seven-inning win.

The Purple Eagle pitching staff stayed strong despite allowing three first-inning runs including some fifth inning heroics by junior reliever Mark Sikorski (Buffalo, N.Y.). The right-hander entered the game with no outs and runners on second and third and proceeded to strike out the side and keep the 5-3 lead. Sikorski earned the three-inning save, his second save of the year, allowing two hits and one run while striking out five.

Sophomore Marcus Spaulding (Copenhagen, N.Y.) improved to 2-0 after settling down after the first inning. He allowed three runs on four hits while striking our five.

Senior Tim Alberts (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) and sophomore Jason Carmer (Jackson, N.J.) collected the other two hits for Niagara in the win.

Wofford 7, Niagara 6
Chernisky adjusted his batting order in game two, moving Cramer, who had batted leadoff in the previous eight games, into the five-hole. The sophomore third baseman responded with a first-inning home run, his first career round-tripper.

Harrison Harber (Kanata, Ont.) knocked in three runs, including two in the sixth inning to give Niagara a 6-5 lead, but the Terriers responded with a run in the sixth and seventh for the one-run victory. Wofford's Jake Williams hit a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh with runners on first and third for the win.

Senior Clint Elkins (Kansas City, Mo.) went 3-for-4 with a run scored, while Baldinelli and Harber each added a pair of hits.

Freshman Cameron Stykemain (Defiance, Ohio) got his first career start and scored the team's first run going 1-for-2 with a bunt single and a sacrifice bunt while playing in left field.

The Purple Eagles are back in action with four games in three days at Cincinnati on March 14-16.