NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles took game one 3-2 before dropping game two to the Iona Gaels for the split of Saturday's doubleheader at Bobo Field.
 
Game One
The Purple Eagles (12-27-2; 8-12 MAAC) led throughout the opener and Zachary Kolodziejski picked up his seventh win of the season in the 3-2 victory over the Gaels (17-32; 8-12 MAAC)
 
Kolodziejski gave up two runs on six hits and struck out five through eight innings as he kept the Gaels from getting any momentum. He retired 12 of the first 13 batters he faced while retiring the side in order in three of the first four innings. Taylor Hackett led the way at the plate with a 2-for-4 outing with an RBI.
 
Niagara got on the board in its half of the first with Tanner Kirwer crossed the plate on a ball that stayed in the infield. Hackett picked up an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth to double its lead to 2-0. A two-out RBI-singgle in the top of the fifth cut allowed Iona to cut the lead in half, 2-1.
 
The game-winning run came in the bottom of the eighth. Thomas Rodrigues hit a lead-off single up the middle. Julian Gallup entered the game as a pinch runner, immediately stole second, then came around to score on a throwing error by the catcher.
 
Matt McCuen came out of the bullpen to close the came out with runners on second and third. One run came across on a groundout to shortstop. A walk set up the double-play ball that ended the game and gave Niagara the 3-2 win. The save was McCuen's second of the season.
 
Game Two
The Gales slowly built a lead five-run lead, with two runs coming unearned, on the way to a 5-0 win in game two.
 
A RBI-single in the second gave Iona the 1-0 lead. A passed ball in the third inning extended the lead to 2-0. NU had a chance for a rally in the bottom half of the frame with it loaded the bases with one out after Rodrigues reached on a dropped third strike, Michael Fuhrman drew a walk, and Hackett was hit by a pitch, but a fielder's choice and a pop-out ended the inning.
 
The Gales added single runs in each of the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings to come away with the 2-0 win. Daniel Procopio took the loss after pitching the first five innings. McCuen and Tanner Kirwer each pitched an inning out of the bullpen. Rodrigues led the team at the dish with a 2-for-3 showing.
 
These two teams will meet at 12:15 for the rubber match of the series. The game will also feature a pregame ceremony to honor the two graduating seniors in the class of 2015.

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