NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara baseball team split a doubleheader with St. Bonaventure in their home opener on Tuesday.

Game 1: Niagara 5, St. Bonaventure 3
The Purple Eagles (11-24-1) got off to a quick start, taking a 1-0 lead over the Bonnies (17-13-1) in the bottom of the first inning. With bases loaded, Taylor Hackett was hit by a pitch, sending in Julian Gallup for the first score of the day.

Niagara extended its lead, 2-0, in the bottom of the second. Gallup, who went 2-for-4 at the plate, singled to second base to score Darian Blanks, who was already on base.
In the top of the third, the Bonnies made a comeback, tying up the score, 2-2, but Niagara persevered. In the bottom of the fourth, Gallup grounded out to short, sending home Joel Brophy and earning his team-high second RBI of the game home. Greg Cullen, who also went 2-for-4 at the plate, singled to score Blanks to double the Purple Eagles' lead, 4-2.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Blanks, who had two runs in game one, reached base on a fielder's choice to score Brophy for his second run.

Jordan Parranto (1-0) earned his first win of the season, striking out two batters and allowing only one hit in his 5.0 innings pitched.

Game 2: Niagara 3, St. Bonaventure 8
St. Bonaventure took the early lead in game two, scoring seven runs in the top of the second inning. Niagara answered in the bottom of the third; Cullen, who had a team-high two hits, hit his first career homerun to put the score at 7-1 with the Bonnies still in the lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, with Christian Vangeison already on base, Owen Dziados went yard to send in the Purple Eagles' final two runs of the day.

The Purple Eagles resume conference play on April 23-24 when they host Rider for a three-game series.

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