WASHINGTON, D.C. – After Niagara came back to tie the game and force extra innings, George Washington walked-off winners in the 10th to defeat the Purple and White 9-8, in the first game of a three-game non-conference series.
 
Game Recap
• After allowing two runs in the bottom of the first, Niagara sophomore Vincent Mauro came up to the dish with runners on first and second and one away in the top of the second and immediately drove a ball into center to drive in Max Giordano from second.
• Niagara would load the bases in the top of the third, Niagara would strike for two runs to take a 3-2 lead when Giordano grounded a ball up the middle that was missed by the shortstop, allowing Nick Groves and Matt Ward to score.
• Gavin Shrader, who advanced to second on the previous play would score the fourth run of the game for Niagara when Cole O'Conner singled to left, giving NU a two-run lead, 4-2.  
• Niagara starter Ryan Minckler would get out of a bases loaded jam allowing just one run to keep the Purple Eagles in front, 4-3.  
• Giordano would launch one over the left-center field wall to give Niagara a 5-3 lead over George Washington in the fifth.
• Minckler would toss back-to-back scoreless innings to keep Niagara on top before being replaced by Marty Cole in the sixth.
• Cole would promptly set down the first batter he saw, but the submarine-style right hander would find himself in a bases-loaded jam a few batters latter and issue a four-pitch walk to allow George Washington to get one run closer, 6-4.
• A two-out two RBI single to shallow center tied the game at six for the Colonials in the sixth, forcing Cole from the game.
• Tommy Bednarski would come in to get the last out of the sixth inning for the Purple and White.
• The Niagara offense, who had 11 hits through six innings of play were silenced in the seventh and eighth innings, keeping the game tied at 6-6 heading into the bottom of the eighth.
• George Washington would score two on a two-out double in the home half of the eighth inning, giving the Colonials an 8-6 lead heading into the final frame.
• Shrader would get plunked to start the ninth for NU, and move to second on a passed ball with one out in the innings.
• Following a walk to Giordano, O'Connor would ground out to the right side, moving the game-tying run to second and bring up Mauro. Mauro would single through the left side, and advance to second on the throw, driving in Shrader and Giordano to tie the game at 8-8.
• Niagara closer Zach Cameron would come in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and after allowing a leadoff single, he would set down the next three batters to send the game to extras.
• The Purple Eagles would leave two runners on in the top of the 10th, leaving GW a chance to win it the bottom half.
• A leadoff double would come around to score for the Colonials, giving George Washington the 9-8 win over Niagara.
 
Niagara Notes
• Niagara fell to 0-6 all-time vs. George Washington.
• With three RBIs in today's contest, Mauro now has ten on the season, all of which have come in the last three games.
• Minckler's five innings pitched Friday afternoon was his second-longest outing of the season. The redshirt-freshman matched his season-high with three strikeouts.
• Giordano and Nick Groves would collect three hits, while Mauro finished with two to pace the NU offense.  
• Giordano hit his team-leading fifth home run of the season. The Lancaster, N.Y., native also drove in three, moving his season total to 18.
 
Up Next
• The three-game set between Niagara and George Washington continues tomorrow afternoon. First pitch between the Purple Eagles and Colonials is set for 1 p.m.