NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - Sophomore Marcus Spaulding (Copenhagen, N.Y.) tossed 7.2 strong innings on the mound, and senior Andrew Macdonald (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) went 5-for-5 at the plate as the Niagara baseball team (21-25 , 9-12 MAAC) won the rubber match of a three-game set against Marist (19-25, 8-13 MAAC) on Sunday.

"The difference between a win and a loss today was the fact that we made plays in key spots," Niagara head coach Chris Chernisky said. "It all starts on the mound, and Marcus had a solid outing that put us in position to get the victory."

Spaulding (6-2) stayed unbeaten at home, allowing five hits and two runs while striking out four and walking one. The right-hander retired the first 10 batters of the game before giving up a single through the right side to Ryan Gauck. On the very next pitch, Spaulding erased the base runner with a 1-6-3 double play.

The Purple Eagle shortstop provided all the offense that Spaulding would need with his first career five-hit day. Macdonald recorded back-to-back singles in the first and third innings before delivering a pair of crushing blows to the Red Foxes.

With two outs in the fourth inning, and Niagara clinging to a 1-0 lead, Macdonald lined a two-run double down the left field line. After Marist inched closer at 3-2 in the top of the fifth, Macdonald came to the plate again in the fifth inning with two outs and a pair of runners in scoring position. He promptly lined another double down the left field line, in almost the same spot, plating two and giving Niagara a 7-2 lead.

"Andrew has been there all year for us, and it was very nice to see him come up big for the team in key offensive spots," Chernisky added.

Macdonald added a seventh-inning single to left field to complete his 5-for-5 day.

Jonny Smith (Niagara Falls, N.Y.), Frank Kurnik (Reno, Nev.) and Matt Lucchesi (San Francisco, Calif.) each recorded two hits. Smith, playing third base for the third-straight game, scored a run in the decisive fifth inning. Kurnik scored and knocked in another while Luchessi scored a game-high two runs on the afternoon.

Despite the series win, the Purple Eagles were eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday when victories by Siena and Rider gave them 12 conference wins.