CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Purple Eagles were unable to overcome an early deficit and fell to the Northern Illinois Huskies 15-5 on Saturday in the second game of the Governor's Challenge at Austin Peay State University.
 
Down 5-0 after the first inning, Niagara (0-2) was able to get a run up on the board in the top of the second inning. After leading off the inning with a single to left field, Geoff Seto stole second to put himself in scoring position. Seto would advance to third before senior Anthony Firenzi drove him in on a single to left field to make it 5-1.

"Today was rough," head coach Rob McCoy said. "We are making things hard on ourselves instead of simplifying the game and focusing on the process of each pitch. We have a solid club, but there is still learning that is taking place. Our pitchers need to throw strikes and get ahead. Our defense needs to want every play. Our goal is to get better every day."
 
The Huskies would put up three runs in the second followed by another run in the third to go up 9-1 after three. Freshman Julian Gallup collected his first collegiate hit with a double down the left field line in the fourth. The freshman came around to score two batters later on a Michael Fuhrman single to left field to make it 9-2.
 
Northern Illinois put up two more runs in the bottom of the fourth to go up 11-2 before Zach Glowacki held the Huskies at bay with 2.1 innings of shutout ball, while allowing only two hits.
 
In the top of the seventh inning, Fuhrman singled to left center with one out, followed by the junior advancing to second after Greg Rodgers reached on a throwing error. With runners on first and second, Taylor Hackett grounded one back to the pitcher, who went to second base to start a double play. An error by the Huskies shortstop allowed Rodgers advance to third and Fuhrman come around to score, making it 11-3.
 
NIU had another four runners cross home in the bottom of the seventh to go up 15-3 after seven innings. After a scoreless eighth inning, the Purple Eagles attempted to mount a comeback in the top of the ninth inning. Owen Dziados led off the frame by reaching on a throwing error and stole second, which gave Niagara nine stolen bases in their first two games of the season. Rodgers advanced him with a single down the third-base line.
 
With runners on the corners, Hackett reached safely on an error to advance Rodgers to second and bring Dziados around to score to make it 15-4. Trevor McCauley knocked in Rodgers with a single up the middle to bring the score to the 15-5 final.
 
Liam Stroud started on the bump for Niagara and took the loss. Thomas Rodrigues and Fuhrman led the way on offense for the Purple Eagles, both going 2-for-3, with Fuhrman driving in a run.
 
Niagara is back on the field for the third and final game of the Governors Challenge when they take on the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.