Towson, MD—The Niagara baseball team evened their weekend series with Towson on Saturday as they defeated the Tigers 13-8.
How it Happened
Niagara notched the first hit of the game in the top of the second as Gavin Schrader reached on a bunt single. After a pair of outs, Schrader advanced to second on a wild pitch. Rees Kozar then singled to left field that moved Schrader on third to put runners on the corners. Three pitches later, Jake Hutchins singled home Schrader with the first run of the game.
The Purple Eagles were back on the board in the top of the fourth. Kelly Corl opened the inning with a double to left field and was then moved up to third on a sacrifice bunt from Tommy Takayoshi. Kozar then singled home Corl to make it 2-0. Hutchins then drew a walk to put a pair of runners on with one out. Nick Monile came to the plate and singled to drive in Kozar but then Hutchins came around to score on an error. Nick Groves had a productive out as he flew out but Monile moved to third on the play. Brady Desjardins doubled down the left field line one pitch later to make it 5-0 Niagara.
Towson responded in the bottom of the fourth with five runs of their own to make it 5-5.
The Purple Eagles took the lead back in the top of the sixth, Hutchins opened the inning with a walk and advanced to third after two groundouts. Desjardins then drew a four pitch walk to put runners on to runners on the corners. Eric Rataczak then hammered a ball to the shortstop that was misplayed which allowed Hutchins to score. Schrader then singled home Desjardins from third to make it a 7-5 game.
Niagara added to their lead in the top of the seventh. After an out, Kozar and Hutchins were both hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Both runners then moved up 90 feet on a wild pitch. Monile then legged out an infield single that brought home Kozar from third. After a pitching change, Groves singled to right field that brought home Hutchins from third and put runners on first and second. After a strikeout, Rataczak singled up the middle that brought home Groves and Monile to make it 11-5.
The Tigers got a run back in the bottom of the eighth to make it 11-6.
The Purple and White added two more runs in the top of the ninth. Nate Milk pinch hit and reached on error and moved up to second on the play. Milk then advanced to third on a passed ball. Desjardins then singled up the middle to drive in Milk from third. Desjardins then swiped second with one out. After a flyout, Schrader doubled to left field to bring home Desjardins with the 13th Purple Eagle run.
Towson added a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth but could not make anymore of a comeback.
Niagara Notes
· Ryan Minckler picked up his second win of the season as he went 4.1 innings out of the bullpen. He allowed just two runs on four hits while striking out five.
· Noah Richardson pitched the ninth for Niagara while getting three strikeouts.
· Desjardins and Schrader both had three hits while Kozar and Monile each had two hits.
· As a team, Niagara had 14 hits, it is the 11th time this season that the Purple Eagles have had 10 or more hits, they are 8-3 in those games.
· It is the fourth time this season that Niagara has scored 10 or more runs, they are 4-0 in those games.
· Desjardins, Schrader, Monile, and Rataczak all had two RBI as Kozar, Hutchins, and Groves each had an RBI.
· Niagara's hitters struckout just six times while the Niagara pitching staff struckout 10 batters.
Up Next
The Purple Eagles battle the Tigers again on Sunday in the rubber match of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 1 PM.
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