OLEAN, N.Y. - The Niagara baseball team (18-22) gave up nine unanswered runs in the championship game of the Big 4 Classic on Wednesday, losing to St. Bonaventure (22-19), 9-2 at Fred Handler Field in Olean, N.Y.

The Purple Eagle jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but allowed six runs, four unearned in the fourth inning in the loss. The Bonnies sent nine batters to the plate in the six-run inning, recording just three hits. Bill Rafferty (Ogdensburg, N.Y.) took the loss and fell to 1-4. He allowed seven runs, three earned in 3.1 innings of work.

Senior Frank Kurnik (Reno, Nev.) gave NU a 2-0 lead with a two-out, two-RBI double to center. Tim Alberts (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) and Harrison Harber (Kanata, Ont.) scored on the play. Kurnik finished the day 2-for-4, adding a single in the eighth inning.

Niagara managed just four hits on the afternoon. Harber singled in the fifth inning after drawing walks during his first two plate appearances. Catcher Graham Skelhorne-Gross (Mississagua, Ont.) lined a single up the middle in his only plate appearance in the ninth inning.

Alberts and Kurnik were joined on the 2008 Big 4 All-Classic Team by designated hitter Steve Baldinelli (Niagara Falls, Ont.). The senior had three hits, three runs and two RBIs in Tuesday's win over Canisius.

The Purple Eagles travel to New Rochelle, N.Y. for a weekend series with Iona. Saturday's doubleheader gets underway at noon.