LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – A late comeback gave the Purple Eagles a win in their first MAAC game of the season, edging the Rider Broncs 4-3 on Friday afternoon at Sonny Pittaro Field.

Going into the eighth inning facing a 3-2 deficit, Kevin Paulsen and Adam Wagner hit back-to-back singles, with Wagner advancing on the throw, to give the Purple Eagles runners on second and third with one out.  A wild pitch brought tied the game and a Ryan McCauley single up the middle gave Niagara the 4-3 lead. 

Niagara (8-11, 1-0 MAAC) collected 10 hits in the game, with McCauley and Paulsen tying with a team-high three hits each.

“Our offense just kept coming at them like they have all year,” head coach Rob McCoy said.  “It’s been fun to watch.”

In the final two frames for Rider (5-14, 0-1 MAAC), the Niagara bullpen allowed only three base runners and didn’t give up a hit; Jordan Schwartz earned the save.  Jim Fort got the start and the win, pitching 5.1 innings and giving up three runs on four hits.

“Jim gave us a great start on the bump today and our offense was outstanding,” said McCoy.  “I’m proud of these guys, they kept fighting as they have all year.”

McCauley led off the scoring for Niagara, sending a solo home run to left center for his ninth round-tripper on the season to give Niagara a 1-0 lead. 

Rider pushed three runs across the plate in the fifth inning to take a 3-1 lead. In the sixth inning, the Purple Eagles cut the lead to 3-2 with a McCauley sacrifice fly to score Paulsen. 

“That’s a big win for our club,” McCoy said.  “We’re playing well, we just needed to start pitching a little. Today we did. Our work isn’t done.  We have a big doubleheader tomorrow and Rider will be ready for us.”

The Purple Eagles are back on the field tomorrow when their doubleheader against Rider starts at 10 a.m.