DURHAM, N.C. – The Niagara baseball team was defeated by North Carolina Central, 7-3, on Friday.

"We didn't play well today and they did," said Purple Eagles head coach Rob McCoy. "We've got to limit free 90's, throw more strikes and simply play better pitch to pitch. It's something we've been working a lot on and we will have good days at it and bad days. As the season progresses, so will our game process."

Niagara (1-4) got out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. With Michael Fuhrman already on base, Greg Rodgers hit a triple, sending Fuhrman home for the Purple Eagles' first run of the day. North Carolina Central (1-3) answered quickly, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first to take a 3-1 lead.

In the fourth and fifth innings, North Carolina Central scored four runs to take a 6-1 lead . Fuhrman led off the sixth inning with a double to left center. He later scored on a wild pitch. With Christian Vangeison and Joel Brophy on base, Geoff Seto singled down the right field line, sending home Vangeison for Nigara's final run of the game.

Fuhrman led the Purple Eagles, going 2-for-5 at the plate and scoring a team-high two runs. Rodgers and Seto both recorded one RBI. In the field, Brophy led with 11 putouts and he also had two assists. James Walker pitched 3.2 innings and took the loss.

The Purple Eagles are back in action with a doubleheader against North Carolina Central on Saturday, Feb. 27.

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