CARY, N.C. – The Niagara baseball team lost a close 8-4 game to Alabama on Saturday.

"We're getting a little better with every game," said head coach Rob McCoy. "Guys are starting to step up when called upon and that'll be big for us. The big thing now is minimizing the big inning. Most of our mistakes are completely within our control and manageable."

Alabama (9-1) took an early 3-0 lead over the Purple Eagles (2-10), but Niagara responded in the top of the third inning. Michael Fuhrman singled up the middle, sending home Julian Gallup, who was already on base, and cutting the deficit to only two runs, 3-1.

The Crimson Tide, however, extended their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring four more runs to give them a 7-1 lead. In the top of the sixth, Taylor Hackett singled up the middle, advancing Joel Brophy and Fuhrman and scoring Greg Cullen. Hayden Coll then singled to left field, sending Brophy and Fuhrman home.

Coll led Niagara with two RBIs. Fuhrman went 2-for-3 at the plate and had one RBI. On the mound Daniel Procopio faced 14 batters in two innings and took the loss.

The Purple Eagles play their final game of the USA Baseball Irish Classic on Sunday, March 6 against Notre Dame.

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