EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Purple Eagles baseball team defeated Michigan State, 3-2, on Friday.
Game Summary
Final Score: Niagara 3, Michigan State 2
Game Leaders: Greg Cullen (3H), Peter Battaglia (1 RBI), Michael Gabriele (1 RBI)
Records: Niagara (3-9), Michigan State (5-11)
Location: McLane Stadium – East Lansing, Michigan
Game Recap
- Niagara got on the board in the top of the third inning. Battaglia flied out to right field, scoring Trevor McCauley to give the Purple Eagles a 1-0 lead over the Spartans.
- Michigan State took the lead, 2-1, in the sixth inning.
- In the top of the ninth, Gabriele reached base on a fielder's choice and Darian Blanks scored. With Benny Serrano and Gabriele on base, Dawson Bailey reached base on a fielder's choice. Gabriele then advanced to second base on a throwing error by the Spartans' second baseman and Serrano scored to give the Purple Eagles the 3-2 lead.
- The Spartans were retired in order in the bottom of the ninth and the Purple Eagles earned the victory.
Inside the Numbers
- Cullen went 3-for-3 at the plate, including one double. It is the third time this season Cullen has been perfect at the plate and he leads the team with a .522 batting average.
- Battaglia and Gabriele each had one RBI.
- Cody Eckerson started on the mound, striking out eight batters in 6.1 innings pitched. Ben Erwin (2-1) earned the win, fanning two in 1.2 innings pitched, and Alex MacKinnon earned his first save of the season.
- This is NU's first victory over a Big Ten opponent since 2016 when the Purple Eagles defeated Penn State, 4-3.
Up Next
- The Purple Eagles continue their four-game series with Michigan State March 17-18. Games will start at 1:05 p.m. both days.
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