KENT, Ohio - The Niagara baseball team (10-10) dropped a non-conference contest at Kent State (9-13), 9-8 on Tuesday in Kent, Ohio. The Purple Eagles rallied from six down to tie the score but could not complete the comeback effort.

Trailing 9-8 in the top of the ninth, with runners on first and second, Niagara head coach Chris Chernisky called on pinch hitter Graham Skelhorne-Gross (Mississagua, Ont.). The reserve catcher has had two game-winning pinch hits already this season, but was unable to solve Kent State's Reid Lamport. The right-hander struck out the side in the ninth to earn the save.

"Although we were unable to win the game," Chernisky said, "I am pleased that our guys battled back from a six-run defeicit. Unfortunately, missed opportunities down the stretch cost us the game. As a team, we look forward to returning home to play a series at Sal Maglie Stadium for the first time this weekend."

Freshman Cam Stykemain (Defiance, Ohio) made the most of his first start in left field, going 3-for-3 with his first career home run. The rookie outfielder scored twice and knocked in a pair of runs while reaching base all five times he stepped to the plate in the loss.

Senior Tim Alberts (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) had three singles and three stolen bases for the Purple Eagles. Classmates Andrew Macdonald (Charlottetown, P.E.I.), Frank Kurnik (Reno, Nev.) and Chris Leendertse (Ancaster, Ont.) each recorded two hits on the road. Kurnik and Leendertse also collected two RBIs.

Michael Kellar (Colifax, Ill.) got the start for Niagara, allowing six runs on six hits in 1.2 innings. Bill Rafferty (Ogdensburg, N.Y.) pitched 4.1 inning in relief and took the loss. After Niagara had tied it at 6-6 in the top of the third, the sophomore right-hander allowed three runs on nine hits.

Niagara returns home to Sal Maglie Stadium for a three-game series with LeMoyne on Saturday and Sunday at noon.