DURHAM, N.C. – The Purple Eagles' baseball team closed out its four-game series with North Carolina Central on Sunday with a 12-11 victory.

"We played and battled much better today than we did the last two," said head coach Rob McCoy. "We still didn't pitch that well, but the defense played well and we were solid at the plate. It really came down to us relaxing and letting our ability flourish. We didn't give up today at any point and that is where the mental game is so important."

N.C. Central (3-4) took an early 4-0 lead over the Purple Eagles but, in the top of the fourth inning, Geoff Seto hit a homerun to left field to score himself and Christian Vangeison to put Niagara (2-6) down by only two runs, 4-2. In the top of the fifth inning, a double from Greg Cullen sent home Tanner Kirwer. Michael Fuhrman then singled through the left side to score Cullen, keeping N.C. Central's lead narrow, 7-4.

Going into the top of the sixth inning, Niagara was down 8-4, but the team made a quick comeback with scores from Joel Brophy, Seto, Taylor Hackett and Greg Rodgers to tie up the score, 8-8. The Purple Eagles scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning as well to take their first lead of the game. N.C. Central left the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, and Niagara took home its second win of the season.

Seto led Niagara with three runs, three RBIs and a 2.000 slugging percentage. Cullen and Julian Gallup both had two RBIs. Michael Bucci pitched 1.2 innings and earned the win.

The Purple Eagles continue their N.C. road trip March 1-2 against Western Carolina.

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