JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The Purple Eagle jumped out to a big lead early and never looked back and won the series against the Saint Peter’s Peacocks with Sunday’s 15-11 victory. 
 
"This was an extremely mentally draining game," head coach Rob McCoy said.  "There were many highs and lows, but the guys maintained an even keel throughout."

Niagara (12-22, 7-5 MAAC) took a 6-0 lead in the top half of the first as six of the first seven Purple Eagles reached base.  Ryan McCauley, Kevin Paulsen  Jordan Schwartz  and Thomas Rodrigues all brought in runs with RBI-singles. Christian Vangeison and Evan Wexler added the other two runs to Niagara’s early lead.
 
A combined 10 runs were scored in the third, with the Purple Eagles adding four runs in their half of the frame.  With one out on the board, three consecutive singles, the last one from Schwartz brought in the first run of the inning.  Two batters later Rodrigues singled home his second RBI of the game.  The next two runs came by way of bases loaded walk and a balk.
 
The Peacocks (11-19, 5-4 MAAC) cut the deficit to just four runs after scoring six runs on four hits and an error.  The team’s traded four-run frames in the fifth.  Niagara added to its lead with a single from Michael Fuhrman and took advantage of a throwing error.  Then with the bases loaded and two outs, Greg Rodgers brought in a pair with a single sent back up the middle.  Saint Peter’s scored four runs of its own on just one hit, a fielder’s choice, a SAC-fly, and a walk to get back within four, 14-10.

"We need to pitch better," said McCoy.  "Our life blood is and the key to our success is squarely on our pitching staff."
 
Each team added one more run before the game was over.  SPU’s scratched one across in the eighth with NU building its lead back up after adding a run in the top of the ninth to come away with the 15-10 win.

"This was a great series win for us." McCoy said.  "Saint Peter's plays extremely tough at home."
 
Ben Zaccagnino (2-1) earned the win out of the bullpen after the righty threw 2.1 innings and gave up four runs on two hits.  Eight Purple Eagles contributed one RBI on the afternoon with Fuhrman, Rodgers, Schwartz, and Rodrigues all with a pair.
 
Niagara is back on the field on Tuesday when it takes on Kent State in the first game of a two-game set.  First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.