NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Purple Eagles (17-30, 11-11 MAAC) earned an 8-7 walk-off win versus Quinnipiac (15-31, 8-13 MAAC) in 11 innings on Thursday to inch closer to earning a spot in the MAAC Championships.

Game Recap

• The Bobcats took the first lead of the game, scoring one run in the top of the first inning and two runs in the top of the third to get ahead of NU, 3-0.
• The Purple Eagles, however, had a monster fourth inning. Max Giordano scored the first run of the game for NU and a two-RBI single from Brady Desjardins tied the score, 3-3. A two-RBI double from Cole O'Connor gave the Purple Eagles their first lead of the day, 5-3. Back-to-back sacrifice flies from Josh Marchese and Giordano plated two runs, extending Niagara's lead over the Bobcats, 7-3.
• Quinnipiac added one run in the sixth and two in the seventh to cut the NU lead to one run, 7-6.
• An RBI single from the Bobcats in the top of the eighth inning tied things up, 7-7.
• Both the Purple Eagles and the Bobcats went scoreless in the ninth and 10^th innings.
• In the bottom of the 11^th inning, O'Connor doubled to right center to get in scoring position. Cole Tucker then singled down the left field line, scoring O'Connor to earn the Purple Eagles the win in the series opener.

Eagle's Eye On

• Niagara's win improved its record at Bobo Field this season to 9-4.
• Dawson Bailey led the Purple Eagles with four hits. Giordano and O'Connor each had three hits and Tucker and Matt Ward each added two hits.
• O'Connor scored a team-high two runs.
• Evan Wilde started on the mound. He fanned six and gave up four runs on eight hits in a 5.0-inning no-decision.
• Zach Cameron (2-0) earned the win. He tossed 3.0 innings, not allowing a run or a hit and only walking one. He struck out five.

Up Next

• Niagara continues its series with the Bobcats on Friday, May 20 at 3:00 p.m.

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