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Niagara University Athletics

Celebration
Ken Lanese
3
Winner Niagara NIA 1-0
1
Florida State FS 0-1
Winner
Niagara NIA
1-0
3
Final
1
Florida State FS
0-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Niagara NIA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 4 1
Florida State FS 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 1

W: MacKinnon, Alex (1-0) L: Bryce Hubbart (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Niagara Upsets No. 14 Florida State

GAME 1
SCORE Niagara 3 – No. 14  Florida State 1
RECORDS Niagara (1-0) – No. 14 Florida State (0-1)
LOCATION Dick Howser Stadium
 
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Purple Eagles pulled off a stunning 3-1 upset of No. 14 Florida State to open the 2020 season on Friday night.

Game Recap
  • The first four innings were a battle between the Purple Eagles and the Seminoles. Dawson Bailey had Niagara's first hit of the game in the top of the third, singling to third base.
  • In the bottom of the third, with runners in scoring position for Florida State, the Purple Eagles turned a double play to get out of the inning unscathed.
  • The Seminoles scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth. Florida State's Tyler Martin reached base on a fielder's choice, then advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt. An RBI bunt single sent Martin home to give FSU the 1-0 lead.
  • It was a pitcher's duel as the game continued but in the top of the ninth, the tide turned for Niagara. Marty Cole was walked and Mike Brisson came in as a pinch runner. Bailey then singled to left field. A sacrifice bunt from Benny Serrano advanced the runners. Michael Gabriele was then walked, loading the bases and forcing the Seminoles to make a pitching change.
  • Peter Battaglia was next up at the plate and was walked, scoring Brisson to tie the score, 1-1.
  • With two outs on the board and bases still loaded, Josh Marchese earned a walk, sending Bailey home to give NU the lead, 2-1, and force Florida State into another pitching change.
  • An RBI single from Spencer Marcus scored the final run of the game for NU, giving the Purple Eagles a 3-1 lead over the Seminoles.
  • Two strikeouts from Alex MacKinnon and a fly-out to left field in the bottom of the ninth retired the Seminoles in order and iced the win for the Purple Eagles.

Purple Points
  • This is NU's first all-time win against the Seminoles, with Florida State sweeping the first 10 matchups.
  • This is Niagara's second win over a ranked opponent in the last four seasons. The Purple Eagles defeated No. 12 Virginia, 8-5, on March 4, 2017.

Eagle's Eye On…
  • MacKinnon earned the win on the mound, fanning five in 2.0 innings pitched. He did not allow any hits.
  • Tommy Bednarski was the starting pitcher. He struck out four and allowed just one hit in 4.0 innings pitched.
  • Jacob Bruning fanned five and allowed one hit and one run in 3.0 innings pitched.
  • Bailey had a team-high two hits. Serrano and Marcus each had one hit.
  • Battaglia, Marchese and Marcus each had one RBI.

Up Next
  • The Purple Eagles continue their series with the Seminoles with a game at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15 and a game at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16.

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