NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. - The Niagara baseball team (13-10) earned a doubleheader split against first-place Canisius (18-5) on Thursday, keeping its MAAC Tournament hopes alive. The Purple Eagles exploded for 19 runs in a 19-12 victory in game one, but suffered a 22-3 set back in the seven-inning game two.

Niagara is now tied with Siena at 13-10  for fourth place in the conference. Both teams have one game remaining on Friday. Manhattan is now just one game ahead at 14-9, while Rider still has three games remaining, sitting a 12-9 in conference play.

"I am proud of our guys. We played a very good Canisius club (Thursday), and ended up with a split," Niagara head coach Rob McCoy said. "Our playoff hopes rest on our game tomorrow. It is a must-win of epic proportion."

In the opening game, all nine Purple Eagles collected a hit and scored a run in the victory. Niagara fell behind 2-0, but used an 11-run second inning to take demanding control of the contest. The Purple Eagles sent 16 batters to the plate, as the first 11 batters reached and scored before an out was recorded.

Junior Brian Deering went 4-for-6 in the opener, scoring three times and knocking in six more. Freshman Ryan McCauley also collected four hits, scoring four times. Junior Cam Stykemain had three RBIs in the win, a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded and a two-run double in the seventh.

On the mound, senior Marcus Spaulding earned his second consecutive victory, tossing five solid innings. Freshman Kody Kasper also pitched strong, coming one out away from his first career save. He pitched 3.2 innings, tossing a career-high 84 pitches. Senior Geoff Strong came on to record the final out in the win.

Senior Daniel Morari allowed five earned runs in his final start at Sal Maglie Stadium, picking up the loss in the second game. Canisius' best pitcher, Shane Davis, worked in and out of jams, earning the victory. He scattered six hits in five innings, allowing just one run in the fifth.

Senior Matt Wietlispach slugged his team-best ninth home run of the season in the sixth inning, a two-run shot to left field. Trevor Rutkowski and Wietlispach both had two hits in the loss.

With numerous playoff scenarios still alive, Niagara first needs to win Friday's regular season finale against its arch-rivals. Rider travels to last-place Iona for a doubleheader on Friday. NU will need Iona to win at least one game of the three-game set. However, if there is a four-way tie for third place (Manhattan, Siena, Niagara and Rider at 14-10), Manhattan and Rider would advance in the tie-breaker, mini-conference scenario.

Senior Bill Rafferty will get the nod on Senior Day on Friday against the Golden Griffins. The Senior Day ceremony starts at 12:40 p.m. First-pitch is at 1 p.m. at Sal Maglie Stadium.