The Niagara Purple Eagles are set to open Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play against the Saint Peter's Peacocks with a doubleheader on March 28 followed by a single game on March 29 at Jaroschak Field. First pitch for both days is scheduled for 12 p.m. The series was originally scheduled to be played at Bobo Field, but was moved due to wintery conditions.
Purple Eagles 101 (3-13-1)
- Going into this weekend, Niagara's three wins have come against La Salle, Villanova, and NJIT.
- The team's most recent outing was a doubleheader agaisnt Little Three rival St. Bonaventure. Niagara lost the first game 8-7 in 10 innings, followed by a 1-1 tie.
- Due to conference scheduling, NU and Saint Peter's did not play last season.
- The last time the two schools played, Niagara took 2-of-3 from the Peacocks in 2013.
- The Purple Eagles are led on offense by junior Michael Fuhrman, redshirt senior Thomas Rodrigues, and senior Anthony Firenzi.
- Fuhrman leads the team with a .364 batting average as well as a team leading 20 hits. He is also a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen base attempts.
- After sitting out last season, Rodrigues is second on the team with a .340 average and a team leading four doubles.
- Anthony Firenzi is third with a .295 average and leads the team with three homeruns and nine RBIs.
- Over his past five games, Firenzi is hitting at a .470 clip (8-17), with three homeruns and five RBIs.
- Freshman Zachary Kolodziejski leads the team on the mound with a 2-2 record to go with a 4.44 ERA over five appearances.
- The Livonia, N.Y. native sports an impressive 21-6 strikeout-walk ratio.
On the Field: Saint Peter's Peacocks (1-12, 1-2 MAAC)
- The lone win for the Peacocks came on March 22 with a 5-4 victory over Quinnipiac in MAAC play.
- Saint Peter's is led by freshman Mike Ionta's .280 average.
Probable Starters:
- Saturday Game One - Kolodziejski, RHP (2-2, 4.44 ERA) vs. Mike Doran, RHP (0-2, 9.45 ERA)
- Saturday Game Two - Ben Zaccagnino, RHP (0-1, 7.71 ERA) vs. Kevin Soriano, RHP (0-2, 6.65 ERA)
- Sunday - Liam Stroud, RHP (0-3, 8.10 ERA) vs. John Leiter, RHP (0-2, 6.89 ERA)
Up Next for Niagara
- Next week sees the Siena Saints make the trip to Western New York for a doubleheader on April 3, followed by a single game on April 4. Friday's doubleheader is scheduled to begin at noon, while Saturday's first pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
