Box Score

RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Niagara’s power hitters kept the Purple Eagles in Friday’s game against the Manhattan Jaspers, but couldn't put them over the edge as they were topped in another extra-inning match-up, 6-5, in 12 innings.
 
“Today was a tough loss but we have to move on,” head coach Rob McCoy said.  “Give Manhattan a lot of credit, they played well.  We made too many mistakes to win today but, having said that, I liked the way we fought through those mistakes and played hard.”
 
Facing a 2-0 deficit after the first inning, Jon Wilson put Niagara (10-14, 3-3 MAAC) on the board with his third home run of the season and cut the lead to 2-1.
 
Manhattan (10-17, 5-2 MAAC) extended its lead to 4-1 with an RBI single in the second and a solo home run of its own in the top of the third but Niagara began its rally in the top of the fourth.
 
Ryan McCauley sent a solo shot to right field to cut the Jaspers’ lead to 4-2.  Manhattan scored an unearned run in its half of the fourth to again go up by three.  Niagara erased the deficit completely in the next inning by taking advantage of a few Manhattan mistakes. 
 
Joel Klock drew a two-out walk to give NU its first baserunner of the inning and Adam Wagner was hit by a pitch.  With two on and two outs, Eric Hink stepped to the plate and got his first hit of the ballgame, sending a two-run triple down the right field line and bringing NU within a run.  Still with two outs, McCauley got his 30^th RBI of the season with a single to second base and tied the score at 5-5.
 
Both bullpens took over from there.  Manhattan’s trio of relievers gave up only one hit over five innings of work while Tyler Spear and Geoff Soja for Niagara gave up just four. 
 
Two of those four hits came in the bottom of the 12^th inning.  A leadoff double put the winning run in scoring position for the Jaspers and two batters latter, a single to right center brought him around and gave Manhattan the 6-5 lead. 
 
“The measure of a good team is resiliency,” said McCoy.  “Tomorrow we need to be relentless.” 
 
McCauley led the way offensively for Niagara, going 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored.  Jim Fort started the game and went six innings, giving up three earned runs on nine hits.  Soja received the loss,
 
The Purple Eagles are back in action tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at Noon.