ARLINGTON, Va. – The Niagara Purple Eagles found a way to take a pair of leads in the middle innings, but a four-run seventh from George Washington Colonials helped the hosts to a 6-5 win on Saturday afternoon.
Anthony Firenzi had a hand in both runs as Niagara (0-4) built a 2-0 lead in its half of the fourth.
Michael Fuhrman opened the frame with a single to left and was able to make his way to third so Firenzi was able to bring him around with a single of his own. The senior was advanced to third on a wild pitch and a fly out before doubling the early lead when he crossed home on another wild pitch.
"We took several steps forward today," head coach
Rob McCoy said. "Our compete level was much higher and we fought pitch-to-pitch much better today. We just need to keep improving every day in giving our best effort."
The Colonials (4-1) tied the game with two runs, one unearned, in their half of the frame, but Niagara took the lead right back in the fifth.
Tanner Kirwer sent a single through the left side and got to third with a stolen base and a wild pitch before
Thomas Rodrigues collected a RBI with a sac-fly to right field to give Niagara the 3-2 lead.
Liam Stroud started on the mound for the Purple and White and pitched into the fifth inning to finish with one earned run on five hits with a strikeout through 4.1 innings. George Washington took its first lead of the game in the seventh with four runs on three hits to take a 6-3 advantage.
Two runs in the top of the eighth brought the Purple Eagles within one, 6-5, with three outs left to use. Back-to-back doubles brought home the first run of the frame as
Hayden Coll hit a ground-rule double to left field before
Joel Brophy doubled down the left-field line to cut the deficit to two runs. A single from
Nick Bernick advanced Brophy to third where he was able to score on the next at-bat.
Niagara held GW scoreless in the eight to head into the final inning trailing by one. They were able to earn a pair of singles, but a double-play and a strikeout brought the game to its 6-5 final.
Fuhrman went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the Purple Eagles on offense. Brophy and Bernick both went 1-for-2 with a walk.
This weekend's three-game set against the Colonials comes to a close with tomorrow's matchup. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
