DOVER, Del. – The Purple Eagles fell behind early and couldn’t quite get back into it as they fell to the Delaware State University Hornets 8-1 on Friday afternoon. 
 
“We got punched in the mouth in the first and didn’t get off the mat,” head coach Rob McCoy said.  “I expect us to respond tomorrow with more fight.”
 
Niagara (1-7) found itself in a 3-0 hole after Delaware State (5-3) was able to scratch across a pair of unearned runs to open the scoring.  Drew Fittry (0-2), who started the game for the Purple and White, responded by keeping the Hornets hitless through the next four innings.  He pitched 5.1 innings, scattering six hits and five runs, only two of which were earned. 
 
While their pitcher was keeping the Hornets off the board, Greg Rodgers brought NU within two, 3-1, with a solo-shot to open the top half of the fifth.  That was as close as Niagara would get as DSU put up two runs in the sixth and three in the seventh on its way to an 8-1 win.
 
Rodgers’ homerun gives him two on the season and ties him with senior Ryan McCauley for the team lead.  Thomas Rodrigues finished the game 1-for-2 with a walk. 
 
These two teams are back on the field tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.