DOVER, Del. – The Niagara Purple Eagles came out on top in a slug-fest Saturday afternoon, beating the Delaware State Hornets 16-11 to even up the weekend series at a game apiece. 
 
“I am proud of the way we responded from yesterday,” head coach Rob McCoy said.  “We talk a lot about learning and moving on from the failures we experience.  It’s a process, but the guys are beginning to understand its value.”
 
“I am looking forward to see what more we can bring to the table.”
 
After scoring only one run in the series-opener, the Purple Eagles (2-7) exploded for 16 runs in game two, including an eight-run third inning that put them in front 8-1.  Three-consecutive singles in the bottom of the second inning put DSU up 1-0, but a RBI single by Thomas Rodrigues in the next frame opened the floodgates.  It was the first of four RBI-singles in the inning as Michael Fuhrman, Ryan McCauley, and Christian Vangeison all brought in runs.  NU brought four more runs across the plate by taking advantage of some fielding errors. 
 
Freshman Greg Rodgers added the first of two fifth-inning runs that added Niagara’s lead.  The third baseman drew a walk, stole second, stole third, then scored on a throwing error by the DSU catcher.  Rodrigues added another RBI to put Niagara ahead 10-5 heading into the bottom of the inning. 
 
The Purple Eagles stayed in the lead throughout the rest of the game, adding another pair of runs in the sixth and four in the top half of the ninth on their way to the 16-11 victory.
 
McCauley’s two RBIs in the top of the ninth gave him a game-high three RBIs.  The senior turned in a 2-for-4 effort at the plate and added a walk.  After today’s game he’s tied for second on the team with Vangeison, as they both have six RBIs on the year.  Pavel Chavez-Rusova added a pair of RBIs with a single in the ninth to put him in the team-lead with seven on the year. 
 
Jim Fort (0-1) got the start on the mound and threw three innings.  Sean Quinlan, Geoff Soja, and Connor Sullivan combined to pitch six innings out of the pen for Niagara.  Quinlan (1-0) gets credit for the win while Soja threw two-innings of scoreless baseball and only gave up one hit. 
 
The Purple Eagles and the Hornets square off in tomorrow’s rubber match that is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.