NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Purple Eagles baseball team dropped a doubleheader to local rival Canisius on Thursday.
Game 1: Niagara 3, Canisius 7
Niagara (16-36-1, 11-12 MAAC) took an early lead in the first game. In the bottom of the first, with
Michael Fuhrman and
Greg Cullen on base,
Christian Vangeison reached base on an error by the Golden Griffin's (29-25, 16-8 MAAC) shortstop, giving Cullen enough time to score and give the Purple Eagles a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second,
Hayden Coll reached base on a fielder's choice, then advanced to second and scored
Geoff Seto, who was already on base.
Canisius, however, made a comeback, taking a 6-2 lead over Niagara after the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth,
Owen Dziados singled to left field, sending home Cullen for his team-high second run of the game.
Fuhrman led the Purple Eagles at the plate with a team-best two hits. Dziados, Coll and Vangeison had one RBI each. On the mound,
Zachary Kolodziejski (3-8) struck out six batters in his 5.0 innings pitched.
Game 2: Niagara 1, Canisius 4
Cullen scored the lone run of the game in the bottom of the first inning, after an RBI single from Fuhrman.
Cullen, Dziados and Fuhrman had one hit each and Dziados also had the Purple Eagles' only double of the day.
Cody Eckerson struck out nine batters in 5.0 innings pitched.
The Purple Eagles close out their series with Canisius on Friday, May 20. They will hold their senior day ceremony prior to the game.
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