Box Score

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – The Niagara baseball team was edged out in its mid-week matchup against Little Three rival St. Bonaventure 8-6 on Tuesday afternoon at McGraw-Jennings Field.
 
Facing a 6-1 deficit going into the top of the seventh inning, Niagara (7-11) put up five runs to tie the game.  After a fly-out to start the inning, Wynton Bernard drew a walk, and then stole second to get the first runner on base for the Purple Eagles.  From there they would play station-to-station baseball, riding six straight singles to tie the game at 6-6.
 
After Niagara held it scoreless in the seventh, St. Bonaventure (8-6) scored two runs on a pair of RBI singles then forced the Purple Eagles to go three-up, three-down in the ninth to come away with an 8-6 victory.
 
“We showed a lot of heart today, but just couldn’t get over the hump,” said head coach Rob McCoy.  “I’m proud of these guys for their effort in the first part of the season.  Conference play begins this weekend so it’s time to buckle down as a team and get after it.”
 
Niagara once again led off the scoring, this time in the second inning after Bernard doubled, stole third, and scored on a Jon Wilson groundout.
 
The Bonnies built their lead in the beginning in the second scoring two runs on a pair of hits to go up 2-1.  From there they scored in the third (two runs), fourth (one run), and the sixth (one run). 

The Purple Eagles were led on offense by Bernard who went 1-for-3 at the plate with a walk, a pair of runs scored, and two stolen bases to bring his total to 16 on the season.

Joel Klock started the game and gave up six runs on eight hits over five innings.  Anthony Caringi was given the loss after giving up one of the Bonnies' two runs in the eighth.
 
Niagara is back in action on Saturday when it opens MAAC play on the road with a doubleheader against Rider starting at noon.