LONGWOOD, Va. - The Niagara baseball team (2-8) split a doubleheader with Longwood University (7-3) for the second-straight day on Sunday. The Purple eagles dropped the opener 7-1 but rebounded with a 3-1 victory in game two.

Freshman Kody Kasper pitched well in his first career start, scattering four hits over 5.1 innings while allowing one run in the second inning. The seven-inning contest went into extra innings, tied at 1-1. Senior Geoff Strong earned the win, pitching 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.

In the top of the eighth inning, Cam Stykemain's base running gave NU the lead. After a leadoff walk, the speedy outfielder advanced to second and third on back-to-back wild pitches and then scored on a throwing error by the catcher.

The base running would add an insurance run later in the frame. Stephen Smith and Brian Deering each singled. Smith reached third on Deering base knock and scored another unearned run when Deering stole second base.

The Purple Eagles received plenty of offense from an Deering. After spending a majority of last season and the beginning of this year in the No. 9 spot and having tremendous success, Deering was moved up to the No. 3 spot to spark the Purple Eagle offense.

In game two on Sunday, Deering went 3-for-4 with a home run. Overall for the weekend, the junior collected six hits and scored three runs.

Niagara dropped the first contest 7-1 as Bill Rafferty collected the loss. Matt Wietlispach and Jason Cramer each had two hits for Niagara.

Niagara travels to Cincinnati to play four games in three days, starting on Friday March 12.