LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. - The Niagara baseball team (17-20, 6-8 MAAC) was swept by Rider (23-16, 11-6 MAAC) on Saturday in a pivotal conference doubleheader in Lawrenceville, N.J. The Purple Eagles lost game one 3-2 and were defeated 9-3 in game two.

Rider 3, Niagara 2
The Broncs scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning off closer Mark Sikorski (Toronto, Ont.) to win the first game of the day.

Tim Alberts (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) connected on his fifth home run of the season to give NU a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. After Rider tied the score in the seventh on back-to back two-out singles, Niagara took a 2-1 lead in the top of the ninth inning.

Jonny Smith (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) started the action with a one-out single up the middle. Alberts reached on a two-out single to center field, setting up the go-ahead RBI single by second baseman Harrison Harber (Kanata, Ont.).

Michael Kellar (Colifax, Ill.) pitched well in his first career conference start. The left-hander allowed one run on five hits through 6.2 innings of play. He struck out four batters while walking two. Dennis Chachko (Oceanport, N.J.) continued his dominant relief performances with a perfect 1.1 innings of work. The 6-foot-6 rightie struck out three of the four batters he faced.

Mason Heyne led off the bottom of the ninth with a solo home run, tying the score at 2. After Sikorski issued a walk to Mo Williams, shortstop John Ralston sacrificed Williams to second with a bunt. Steve Galella singled to center, sending Williams to third.

Sikorski and NU were forced to load the bases with an intentional walk, setting up a play at home. However, Matt McCollum put the ball in play deep in the hole at short, forcing Niagara to try for a double play, which was unsuccessful. Williams scored the winning run.

Rider 9, Niagara 3
The Broncs jumped out to a 6-0 lead and never looked back in the second game. Daniel Morari (Saskatoon, Sask.) saw his streak of four-straight wins come to an end, as the leftie allowed six runs in 2.2 innings of work.

Harber and Alberts finished the day with three hits apiece. Alberts picked up an RBI in the second game, while freshmen Cam Stykemain (Defiance, Ohio) and Brian Deering (Springfield, Va.) also knocked in a run in the loss.

The series finale gets underway at noon on Sunday, with sophomore Marcus Spaulding (Copenhagen, N.Y.) taking the hill.