PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Niagara Purple Eagles fell 18-4 to the University of Pittsburgh Panthers in the first game of a two game set on Tuesday.
 
The Purple Eagles got on the board in the top of the third inning after Julian Gallup led off the inning with a single and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Gallup moved over to third after Tanner Kirwer laid down a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch allowed Gallup to score, to bring the Purple Eagles within three, 4-1.
 
Pittsburgh extended its lead in the bottom of the third and fourth inning with six and three runs respectively.
 
Greg Rodgers led off the top of the sixth with a double down the left-field line. After Christian Vangeison advanced Rodgers to third with one out, Trevor McCauley singled down the right field line to drive him in, making the score 13-2.
 
After the Panthers tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth inning, Gallup reached on a fielding error and Owen Dziados singled to center field to give the Purple Eagles runners on first and second with no outs. Geoff Seto singled through the left side, bringing Gallup around to score and advancing Dziados to second. After Dziados stole third, Nick Bernick's fielder's choice allowed him to score, bringing the score to 14-4. The Panthers tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to give Pitt its final 18-4 lead.
 
Dienston Manuela got the start for Niagara and took the loss. Anthony Firenzi finished the day going 2-for-5 while Julian Gallup went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
 
The Purple Eagles are back on the field on Wednesday to finish the two game series against Pittsburgh with a 1:00 p.m. first pitch. You can follow the action with Live Stats.