Box Score Newark, NJ - Niagara baseball opened up a three-game series against NJIT with a 6-3 victory Friday afternoon in non-conference action.
The Purple Eagles improved to 3-10, while Highlanders fell to 6-8.
Niagara got out to an early lead in the top of the first when Elijah Hammill got things started doubling to right and then Rees Kozar singled to center to bring home Hammill.Â
The lead did not last long however as NJIT tied it up in the bottom of the frame as Lorenzo Camilleri scored on a fielder's choice.
Reuben Malamed got the start for the Purple Eagles as the opener, throwing one inning before Carter Fink came in relief.
After three scoreless innings from Fink, Niagara's offense regained the lead in the top of the fifth as Jacob Brooks hit a sacrifice fly to plate Curtis McKay to make it 2-1 Purple Eagles.
The Highlanders once again tied it up in the bottom of the frame on a single from Austin Francis that scored Andrew Hart.
The Purple Eagles bounced back in the top of the sixth to regain the lead when Noah Konings scored on an NJIT wild pitch.
Luke Glenn came in for relief in the bottom of the frame and sat down the Highlanders 1-2-3 with two strikeouts.
Niagara grew their lead by two in the top of the seventh starting with a home run from Carmen Panaro, followed by a single off the bat of Konings that plated Brooks to make it 5-2.
The Purple Eagles tacked on one more run for insurance in the top of the eighth as pinch runner Nate Milk scored on a passed ball.
NJIT added a run in the bottom of the frame and Andrew Damiani replaced Glenn to close out the game.
Game Notes
Niagara is now 6-1 all-time against NJIT
Panaro hit his first collegiate home run
Kozar extended his hit-streak to 12 games
McKay recorded his first multi-hit game of the season
Up Next
Niagara continues the weekend series against NJIT Saturday March 14 at noon.
