NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Niagara baseball team completed its season sweep of Iona, defeating the Gaels 15-5 on Sunday.

"This was a good weekend for our program," said head coach Rob McCoy. "It was important that we play well and we did. We've been through a lot of ups and downs this season, but these guys have kept things in perspective almost every game. Our one-pitch mentality has been huge for us. We will keep grinding in practice this week and prepare for a competitive weekend next weekend."

The Purple Eagles (15-26-1, 10-8 MAAC) got off to an early lead, scoring seven runs in the top of the third inning. In the top of the fourth, Joel Brophy doubled to left field to score Christian Vangeison and give Niagara an 8-0 lead over the Gaels (8-31, 2-13 MAAC).

Iona scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to cut the Purple Eagles' lead to five, 8-3. Niagara, however, continued its offensive momentum. In the top of the seventh, Michael Fuhrman, who had a team-high three hits and three RBIs, singled up the middle to send home Greg Cullen, who was already on base, for his second of a team-high three runs scored. Five more runs in the top of the eighth inning helped cement Niagara's final win over the Gaels.

Tyler Howard (1-0) earned his first win of the season, striking out two batters in his 4.0 innings pitched.

The Purple Eagles take the field next on May 7-8 when they host the Manhattan Jaspers for a three-game series at Bobo Field.

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