Box Score: Game One
Box Score: Game Two

FARMVILLE, Va. – The Niagara baseball team (7-6) rode momentum from a late comeback in game one into a big win in game two as it took both games of the doubleheader against Longwood University (9-6) at Bolding Stadium on Saturday.

“It was an all around great day for our club today,” head coach Rob McCoy said.  “The way we responded late in the first game says a lot about the fight these young men have.  They never gave up.”
 
Game One
Once again the Purple Eagles scored the first run of the game in the top of the first on a Ryan McCauley single, but the Lancers scored three runs in the third and two in the fifth to put together a 5-2 lead that would last into the final frame.
 
Niagara began its comeback in the ninth inning with Wynton Bernard collecting his second hit of the night with a lead-off solo home run to bring Niagara within two, 5-3.
 
From there the Purple Eagles capitalized on Lancer miscues.  Jeff Calhoon got on base after being hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a throwing error and made it to third on a failed pick-off attempt before he was brought home by a Thomas Rodrigues double to bring Niagara within one, 5-4.
 
With still only one out in the inning, Rodrigues advanced to third on a passed ball and Kevin Paulsen drew a walk to put runners on the corners.  Adam Wagner collected a RBI single to tie the game at 5-5 before Eric Hink loaded the bases with a single of his own.
 
McCauley brought in the game-winning run when he sent  a sacrifice fly to left field to put the Purple Eagles up 6-5.
 
“We talk everyday about expecting success and we are starting to see the results of it,” said McCoy.
 
Kody Kasper was called to close the game.   After giving up a leadoff walk, Kasper got a double play ball on from next batter.  He gave up another walk but forced the fourth batter of an inning to send a grounder to short to get the force at second base to get that final out and give Niagara the game one victory.
 
Paulsen went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate and McCauley had a team-high two RBIs.  Geoff Soja earns the win as part of a bullpen that threw four no-hit, shutout innings to end the game.
 
Game Two
Niagara again got an early start, this time scoring three runs in the first inning after beginning the outing with four-consecutive singles.
 
“In the second game it was great to see that they weren’t satisfied with winning just the first game,” said McCoy.  “They played hard all day.”
 
The Purple Eagles put eight runs on the board in eighth inning.  Longwood commiteted two-straight errors followed by two-consecutive walks to give Niagara its first run of the evening.  Jon Wilson knocked in two with a single to center to put Niagara up 6-1.
 
A few batters later, Rodrigues would get a two-RBI single of his own to put Niagara in front 8-1.  McCauley recorded another two of his game-high 5 RBIs with a single to right and Joel Klock brought a run in with a single to give Niagara an 11-1.
 
The Purple Eagles showcased their power over the next two innings as Wilson hit a solo homer in the fourth and McCauley hit a two-run shot in the fifth.  Niagara added a final run in the fifth to give it the final 15-1 lead.
 
The Lancers were held at bay throughout the game by the efforts on the mound by Jim Fort and Connor Sullivan.  Fort, who started the game, earned the win after pitching five innings giving up only a single run on four hits and struck out six.  Sullivan came in from the bullpen and gave up only two-hits over two scoreless innings.
 
Offensively, McCauley again led the way going 3-for-5 at the plate and knocking in a game-high five RBIs.

Niagara is back in action when they will go for the sweep over Longwood at noon tomorrow.