VERO BEACH, Fla. – The Niagara baseball team fell to Ohio State, 10-7, and defeated Toledo, 4-3, on Saturday.

"Today was the single best day we've had as a program with regard to grit and energy as a team," said Purple Eagles head coach Rob McCoy. "We played a power conference team tough until the last inning and won against a traditionally solid college baseball team. As a program, we've worked on the mental game a lot this year and today we demonstrated the true benefits of it."

Niagara 7, Ohio State 10 
In the top of the fifth inning against Ohio State, Niagara (1-2, 0-0 MAAC) had four runs. Michael Fuhrman singled up the middle, sending home Greg Cullen to put the Purple Eagles down by only two runs, 4-2. Greg Rodgers hit a double, and was able to advance to third after an Ohio State (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) throwing error, which scored Fuhrman. Rodgers then scored on a passed ball. Christian Vangeison scored Niagara's final run in the fifth, giving the Purple Eagles a 5-4 lead over the Buckeyes.

In the top of the sixth inning, with Fuhrman already on base, Taylor Hackett singled up the middle sending Fuhrman home. Vangeison doubled to right field, scoring Hackett and giving Niagara a 7-4 lead over Ohio State going into the bottom of the sixth.

Rodgers went 3-for-4 at the plate and had a team-best two doubles and two RBIs. Daniel Procopio started on the mound; he pitched five innings and finished with an earned run average of 5.4. Matt McCuen pitched the final inning for Niagara and took the loss.

Niagara 4, Toledo 3
Against Toledo (0-3, 0-0 MAC), Tanner Kirwer led off in the bottom of the first; he singled to right field, then, with Greg Cullen at the plate, was able to steal second. Cullen flied out to center field and Kirwer was able to advance to third. Next up was Fuhrman, who singled to right field, sending Kirwer home and earning an RBI. A Rodgers single to third base advanced Fuhrman to second base. Vangeison batted next, hitting a single to score Fuhrman. Going into the top of the second inning, the Purple Eagles had a 2-1 lead over the Rockets.

In the top of the seventh, Toledo responded with two runs and took a 3-2 lead over Niagara. In the bottom of the eighth, a Rodgers single scored Fuhrman, tying up the score at three runs each. Niagara and Toledo both went scoreless in the ninth, sending the game into a tenth inning. In the bottom of the tenth, with Cullen, Fuhrman and Rodgers already on base, Hayden Coll was reached on a fielder's choice sending Cullen home for the game-winning run.

Fuhrman went 3-for-5 at the plate and led Niagara with two runs. Fuhrman, Coll, Rodgers and Vangeison each had one RBI. Pitcher McCuen finished the game for the Purple Eagles and earned the win, going 1-1 on the day.

The Purple Eagles take on Pittsburgh on Sunday, Feb. 21 at 11:00 a.m. in their final game of the Historic Dodgertown Classic.

Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and @NiagaraBASE. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles.