Portland, Ore. — Niagara baseball rallied from a one-run deficit with three runs over the final two innings to defeat Portland 3-1 Sunday afternoon at Joe Etzel Field.

The Purple Eagles improved to 1-8 on the season, while the Pilots fell to 4-6.

Niagara loaded the bases with one out after Noah Konings singled, Rees Kozar walked and Curtis McKay walked in the third in the top of the first, but could not bring anyone home. Portland went down in order on two strikeouts by starter Gage Wheaton.

Portland struck first in the bottom of the second as Jonas Salk walked, advanced to third on a wild pitch and a groundout, then scored on a single to center by Gage Bruce for a 1-0 Pilots lead.

In the third Niagara again threatened with a single by Kozar and a walk by McKay but were unable to push across a run. Wheaton tallied two more strikeouts in the bottom of the frame.

Nick Cote doubled with two outs to put Niagara in scoring position in the fifth, but once again the Purple Eagles could not find a run.

Nathan Harb came in relief for Gage Wheaton in the sixth after a Pilots single and was able to get out of the inning forcing a popup into foul territory. Harb continued in the seventh, retiring the side in a quick frame.

Niagara finally broke through to tie it at one in the top of the eighth. McKay singled and advanced on a Cote sacrifice bunt. Brooks then reached on a fielding error that allowed McKay to score from second, knotting the game. 

Portland threatened in the bottom half with a pair of outs advancing Brady Bean to third base, but Andrew Damiani came on in relief and struck out Salk to keep the game tied.

Niagara delivered the knockout in the top of the ninth. Tyler ViVacqua worked a walk off the Pilots reliever to open the inning, and after Trey Newmann entered in relief, pinch hitter Nate Milk laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance ViVacqua to second. A passed ball moved him to third, setting the stage for Konings, who drove a 3-1 pitch to deep left field for a two-run homer and a 3-1 lead. Damiani returned to the mound and retired Portland in order to close it out.

Game Notes

Niagara is now 2-5 all-time against Portland

Konings recorded his fifth multi-hit game of the season

Wheaton tied a career-high striking out five batters

Kozar is on an eight-game hitting streak

Brooks stole his first base of the season

Up Next

Niagara opens up conference play heading to Merrimack for a three-game series starting March 6 in North Andover, Mass.