East Lansing, MI—The Niagara baseball team closed out its weekend series with Michigan State on Sunday. The Purple Eagles earned an 8-6 win to close out the weekend.
How it Happened
Niagara opened the scoring in the top of the first inning as Brady Desjardins notched a one out single to put a runner on. After a flyout, Desjardins swiped second. Gavin Schrader then drew a walk to put runners on the corners for Vincent Mauro. Mauro singled back up the middle to bring home the first run of the game.
Michigan State responded in the bottom of the first inning as they scored a pair of runs to take a 2-1 lead.
The Purple Eagles got back on the board in the top of the third. Desjardins once again started a one out rally with a single. Eric Rataczak stepped in and lined an 0-1 pitch to left center that brought home Desjardins from first. Following the double, Rataczak advanced to third on a wild pitch. Schrader drew a walk to put runners on the corners as Mauro stepped back into the box. On the first pitch he saw, Mauro drove a pitch over the left field wall for a three-run home run to give Niagara a 5-2 lead.
The Spartans got a run back in the bottom of the fifth inning as they cut it to a 5-3 Niagara lead.
Niagara got back on the board in the top of the eighth inning. Schrader reached on an error to open the eighth inning which was followed by a Mauro walk to put a pair of runners on. Rees Kozar loaded the bases with a bunt single with no outs in the inning. Kelly Corl stepped to the plate and lifted the first pitch he saw to right field for a sacrifice fly to give Niagara a 6-3 lead. Matt Ward drew a four pitch walk to put runners back on the corners. Mauro who was on third, came home with the seventh Niagara run on a wild pitch to make it 7-3 Niagara.
Michigan State cut the Niagara lead to 7-4 in the bottom of the eighth.
The Purple Eagles added a much-needed insurance run in the top of the ninth inning. Monile opened the inning with a walk which was followed by a Desjardins single to put runners on first and second. Rataczak stepped to the plate and singled home a run on a 2-1 pitch to give Niagara an 8-4 lead.
Michigan State added a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth, but they could not complete a comeback against the Purple Eagles.
Niagara Notes
· It is the second straight season that Niagara has defeated a 'Power Five' team, last season Niagara defeated Oregon 8-5 on the road.
· It is the first time since Mar. 18, 2018 that Niagara has defeated a Big Ten team. Niagara defeated Michigan State 12-10 to split a four-game series with Michigan State in 2018.
· Three Purple Eagles had multiple hits while Desjardins had three hits to lead the Purple Eagles. Rataczak and Mauro each had two hits. Kozar and Nate Milk each had a hit in the game.
· Gage Wheaton started on the mound and went 3.2 innings while allowing two runs on four hits while striking out two.
· Steven Hospital came out of the pen and got out the only batter he faced on six pitches.
· Zac Laird picked up his first win of the season as he went an inning while allowing one run on two hits. He also struckout one in his outing.
· Zach Cameron picked up his sixth save of the season as he went four innings while allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits while striking out three.
· Mauro drove in a season high four runs against Michigan State. It is his fourth career game with four or more RBI in a game.
· Monile saw his 15-game hitting streak come to an end but extended his on base streak to 16 games.
· Desjardins notched his third three hit game of the season, he has 11 multi hit games this season.
· Niagara drew six walks in the win, Schrader drew two walks while Monile, Desjardins, Mauro, and Ward all drew one walk.
· Niagara improves to 19-9 this season. The Purple Eagles have the most wins in the MAAC and are the only team with 13 or more wins this season.
· As a team Niagara is hitting .311 this season which leads the MAAC. Monile is second in the MAAC in hitting as he is hitting .417 this season, he leads all NCAA freshmen. Rataczak is third in the MAAC with a .406 batting average this season. Desjardins is 11th in the MAAC with a .345 batting average.
· Niagara's 5.48 ERA as a team is second in the MAAC this season. Cameron leads the MAAC in saves, he entered the weekend tied for the third most saves in the country. He also leads the MAAC in wins with four this season.
· The Purple Eagles are 16-3 this season when they score first.
· Niagara is 14-1 this season when leading after eight innings.
Up Next
The Purple Eagles return to Bobo Field for a three-game MAAC series against Mount St. Mary's starting on Friday with first pitched scheduled for 3 PM. Game two will be Saturday at 3 PM while the series will come to a close Sunday with first pitch slated for noon.
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