NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Purple Eagles (3-25, 0-7 MAAC) fell to the Rider Broncs (18-14, 6-1 MAAC), 7-1, in their home opener at Bobo Field on Thursday.

Game Recap

• Cole O'Connor had the first hit of the game for the Purple Eagles, singling up the middle in the bottom of the first inning.
• In the bottom of the third with one out on the board, Dawson Bailey doubled to left field and then advanced to third on a groundout. Cole Tucker was then walked, putting runners on the corners for NU, but the Broncs got the final out of the inning to keep NU scoreless.
• The Broncs got on the board in the top of the fourth inning, taking a 3-0 lead over NU after an RBI single and a two-run homerun.
• Rider extended its lead, 7-0, in the seventh inning after a two-RBI single and another two-run homerun.
• In the bottom of the seventh inning, Josh Marchese went yard to score NU's lone run of the game.
• Bailey reached first base on a Rider error in the bottom of the eighth. Tucker doubled to center field, advancing Bailey to third to put them both in scoring position, but the Broncs got two outs on the next play to get out of the inning.
• In the bottom of the ninth, with one out on the board, Marchese singled to right field, but the Broncs got the next two Niagara batters out to come away with the win.

Eagle's Eye On

• Marchese led NU with three hits, going 3-for-4 at the plate. Marchese's homerun was his sixth of the season.
• Bailey added two hits for the Purple Eagles.
• Evan Wilde (1-7) took the loss. He fanned five and allowed five runs on nine hits in 6.1 innings pitched.

Up Next

• Niagara plays two more games with the Broncs April 15-16.

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