Newark, NJ - Niagara baseball secured the series victory with a 7-4 win over NJIT Saturday afternoon in non-conference action.

The Purple Eagles improved to 4-10, while the Highlanders fell to 6-9.

After two scoreless innings, Niagara got on the board first in the top of the third as Carmen Panaro scored on a ground out by Elijah Hammill.

The Purple Eagles added to their lead in the top of the fourth starting with a sac-fly off the bat of Curtis McKay that plated Tyler Vivacqua, followed by an RBI single to left from Jacob Brooks that brought home Jason Green to give Niagara a 3-0 lead.

NJIT responded in the bottom of the frame, plating two runs of their own on RBI singles from Lorenzo Camilleri and Connor Klock.

The Purple Eagles scored three runs in the top of the fifth to extend their lead to four. Noah Konings scored on Rees Kozar being able to reach base. McKay then plated Kozar with an RBI single to right field. McKay scored on a balk to cap off the inning.

Nathan Harb came in to start the fifth in relief of Niagara starter Nate Bennet who threw 4.0 innings, striking out five batters.

In the top of the seventh Kozar scored his second run of the game on a ground out from Brooks to make it a 7-2 Niagara lead.

Harb threw two scoreless innings, only allowing one hit before Eddie Dolansky relieved him in the bottom of the seventh.

The Highlanders got two runs back in the bottom of the seventh as Camilleri recorded his second RBI single of the contest and Nick Vega brought home Stead.

Andrew Damiani came on in the bottom of the ninth to close out the game for the Purple Eagles, throwing two scoreless innings to secure the 7-4 win.

Game Notes

Niagara is now 7-1 all-time against NJIT

Vivacqua tied a career-high with three base knocks

McKay tied a season-high with three RBI

Damiani recorded his third save of the season

Kozar has gotten on base in all but one game this season

Up Next

Niagara wraps up the three game series with NJIT Sunday March 15 at noon.