NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – A late offensive burst helped the Purple Eagles chalk up their first MAAC win of the season with a 7-4 victory over the Manhattan Jaspers on Friday afternoon at Bobo Field.

"Once again Kyle gave us a great start and had a chance to win," head coach Rob McCoy said.  "We had some clutch hits and executed our gameplan well.  We have to have a short memory because tomorrow is another day."
 
The Purple Eagles (5-19, 1-3 MAAC) and the Jaspers (10-11, 3-1 MAAC) found themselves tied at 5-5 heading into the bottom of the eighth after the Jaspers were able to tie the game with a run in the top half of the frame.  With one out in the inning, Joel Klock got on base after being hit by a pitch and made it to second after Michael Fuhrman followed up with a single to left field.  Ryan McCauley sent a single through the left side to score Klock, but an error in right field allowed the senior to advance to second and brought home Fuhrman for the 7-5 lead. 
 
Geoff Soja (1-1), who came into the game in the eighth, turned in a three-up, three-down ninth as he forced two groundouts and struck out the final batter to complete the 7-5 victory.
 
Niagara was first on the board in the bottom of the first.  Christian Vangeison came to the plate with the bases loaded and got an infield single to break the scoreless tie.  NU scrathed across one more run to finishthe inning with a 2-0 lead. 
 
After a scoreless second, Manhattan took a one-run lead in the top of the third with four runs, only two of which were earned.  The Jaspers’ lead was short-lived as Niagara scored three in their half with Rodgers and Logan Linder both turned in RBI singles as NU scored three runs on three hits and an error to take a 5-4 lead.
 
Kyle Olver got the start for the Purple Eagles and the righty went seven innings allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits.  Soja threw two complete innings to get the win.  Fuhrman finished the afternoon 2-for-3 at the plate with two walks and two RBIs. Four Purple Eagles collected RBIs.
 
These teams are back at it tomorrow with a doubleheader at Bobo Field that is scheduled to begin at noon.