Newark, NJ - Behind a grand slam from Carter Aarts Niagara baseball completed the weekend sweep of NJIT with a 8-6 victory Sunday afternoon in non-conference play.
The Purple Eagles improved to 5-10, while the Highlanders fell to 6-10.
NJIT got out to an early lead, plating three runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by an RBI double from Austin Francis.
Nate Milk got Niagara on the board in the top of the first with a double down the left field line to bring home Curtis McKay and make it a 3-1 game.
The Highlanders answered in the bottom of the frame as Francis and Jack Stead scored on an error to push the Purple Eagles deficit to four.
Johnny Montgomery came in for relief of Niagara starter Gage Wheaton in the bottom of the second and threw 2.2 scoreless innings striking out two batters while not allowing a hit.
To start the fifth Hayden Morrison came in relief of Montgomery and threw three scoreless innings allowing one hit, while adding six punch outs.
After three scoreless frames the Purple Eagles came alive in the top of the sixth. Nick Cote got things started, singling to left field to plate Tyler Vivacqua. Milk Cote and McKay loaded the bases for Aarts who hit a go-ahead grand slam to left field. Rees Kozar singled to score Brooks and give Niagara a 7-5 lead.
Eddie Dolansky came in to start the bottom of the eighth and threw a scoreless inning, striking out one batter.
Aarts tacked on an insurance run for the Purple Eagles, singling to left scoring pinch runner Matthew Ganschow.
NJIT tired mounting a comeback, plating one run in the bottom of the sixth, but Luke Glenn was able to hold on and earn the save.
Game Notes
Niagara is now 8-1 all-time against NJIT
Morrison recorded a career-high with six strikeouts
Aarts' grand slam was the first of his collegiate career
Konings set a career-high with four base knocks
Cote recorded a career-high three hits
Milk recorded his first base hits of the season
Up Next
Niagara heads back into conference play heading to Loudonville, NY for a three-game series against Siena starting March 20 at 3:00 pm.