Charlotte, N.C.—The Niagara baseball team notched a 17-8 win on Sunday to close out a weekend series against Queens.
How it Happened
Nick Groves opened the game by getting hit by a pitch to start the offense in the first inning. After he was hit he stole both second and third. Kelly Corl then drew a walk and stole second to put runners on second and third. Eric Ratazcak was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Gavin Schrader stepped to the plate and singled to drive in Groves, Corl then scored on an error on the play. After an out, Vincent Mauro walked to load the bases. Rees Kozar then drew a five pitch walk to bring in the third Purple Eagle run. After a pitching change, Brady Desjardins made it 4-0 on a fielder's choice.
Queens cut the Purple Eagle lead in half in the bottom of the first with a pair of runs.
After Niagara was scoreless in the top of the second, Queens took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the second.
With one out in the top of the third inning, Mauro doubled down the right field line. Kozar then singled home Mauro and advanced to second on an error. Desjardins then singled home Kozar from second to give Niagara a 6-5 lead. After Nate Milk was by a pitch, Groves singled home Desjardins from second. Groves then swiped second before Corl reached on a bunt single to load the bases. Rataczak grounded out but allowed a run to score on the play to make it 8-5 Niagara. Schrader then singled that brought home both Groves and Corl to make it a five-run lead for Niagara. Niagara added its 11th run of the game later in the with an infield single by Kozar.
The Niagara offense got back to the plate in the top of the fourth. Groves and Corl both notched one out singles. After a groundout, moved Groves and Corl to second and third, Schrader singled home a pair of runs to make it 13-5. Matt Ward then doubled to left center to bring home Schrader from first to make it 14-5.
Queens hit a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth to cut the Niagara lead to 14-6.
In the top of the fifth Kozar drew a walk and advanced to second on fielding error. Nick Monile then singled to put runners on the corners. Groves reached on a fielder's choice which brought home Kozar to make it 15-6 Niagara.
Queens scored a run in the bottom of the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly.
Neither team scored again until the eighth inning. Groves opened the inning with his first career home run as he belted a 1-0 pitch over the right field wall. Corl then singled which was followed by Rataczek being hit by a pitch. Schrader's big day continued as he singled up the middle to drive in Corl from second.
Queens added another run in the bottom of the eighth as Niagara's lead was 17-8.
Niagara and Queens were both held scoreless in the ninth inning.
Niagara Notes
· Schrader finished the game with six RBIs, he is the first Purple Eagle to have six RBI in a game since Mauro had six RBI against Saint Peter's on Mar. 25, 2023. He also finished with five hits, he is the first Purple Eagle to have hits since Cole O'Connor had five hits against Fairfield on May 27, 2022.
· Groves extended his on base streak to 27 games dating back to last season. He finished the game with three hits, four runs scored, a walk, and three RBI.
· Nine Purple Eagles had hits in the game with eight having multiple hits.
· Six Purple Eagles had RBIs in the game.
· Ryan Minckler picked up his first win of the season on the mound as he went 2.1 innings while allowing two runs with two strikeouts.
· Noah Richardson came in the sixth inning and worked out of a jam with a pair of strikeouts.
· Zach Cameron pitched the final three innings and picked up his fourth save of the season. He allowed just one run on one hit while he had four strikeouts. He entered the weekend tied for the lead in saves in the country.
· Groves had three steals in the game while Corl had one stolen base. Groves leads the MAAC in stolen bases with nine.
· Schrader's .407 batting average is sixth in the MAAC, Rataczek's .381 batting average is 10th in the MAAC.
· Groves leads the MAAC in runs scored with nine while Schrader is second in the MAAC.
· Five Purple Eagles are in the top 10 for runs batted in this season.
Up Next
The Purple Eagles head back on the road next weekend as they travel to Delaware State for a four-game series against the Hornets. Game one is slated for Friday at 2 PM with a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday, the teams close out the series on Sunday.
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