Cortland, N.Y. — Niagara exploded for seven runs in the first three innings but could not hold the lead, falling to Merrimack 8-7 in nine innings Saturday afternoon in a MAAC contest.
The Purple Eagles dropped to 1-9, while the Warriors improved to 3-5.
Niagara wasted no time putting pressure on Merrimack starter Samuel Franco. Noah Konings led off with a walk and Rees Kozar singled to put runners at first and second. Curtis McKay struck out looking, but Nick Cote drew a walk to load the bases.
Jacob Brooks reached on a fielder's choice, driving in Konings for the first run. With Brooks on second and Kozar on third, Kozar stole home to make it 2-0. On the ensuing play, Brooks stole third and then scored on a throwing error by catcher Garrett McGovern an unearned run that stretched the lead to 3-0.
Merrimack responded immediately. In the home half, Jayden Hamilton singled up the middle and advanced to second on a passed ball. Joey Frammartino walked, and Greg Cristino worked a bases-loaded walk to load the bags. Jack Andrews singled through the right side, plating Hamilton and Frammartino to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Niagara struck for three more in the second. Green led off with a double to left center, and Tyler Vivacqua singled him to third. Konings reached on a fielder's choice that scored Green. Then Kozar crushed a two-run home run to right field, scoring Konings and giving Niagara a commanding 6-2 lead.
Merrimack answered again in the bottom half of the frame. Frammartino singled through the right side to score DeShiro, trimming the Niagara lead to 6-3.
Niagara pushed across its final run in the third. Brooks doubled to right field and Hammill drew a walk. With two men aboard, a double steal attempt led to another McGovern throwing error, this time Brooks scored on the unearned miscue to make it 7-3.
Merrimack went in order in the bottom half, with Carter Fink retiring Andrews, Scanlon and Craigue on a combination of groundouts and a strikeout, stranding only one.
After a scoreless fourth, Merrimack chipped away in the bottom half of the fifth plating one run as McGovern then singled through the left side to score Scanlon, making it 7-4. Eddie Dolansky replaced Fink with two on and two out and got Goode Chris to fly out to end the threat.
Niagara threatened without scoring in the sixth. Vivacqua led off with a double through the right side, and Milk sacrificed him to third. Konings singled, but the Purple Eagles could not bring the runners home.
In the bottom of the sixth Nathan Harb came in for relief after two Warriors players were walked, then Andrews singled up the middle to score DeShiro and make it 7-5.
Niagara loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth but was unable to score. Harb was dominant in the home half for Niagara, retiring Craigue on a line drive to shortstop, McGovern on a fly out to center and Goode on a strikeout looking.
Merrimack made the most of its opportunity in the bottom half of the eighth. DeShiro reached base safely and Hamilton singled to put two on. Andrew Damiani replaced Harb in the middle of the inning.
Frammartino then delivered a two-run single to center field to knot the game up at seven. Andrews added a sacrifice fly off Damiani to score Frammartino from third, taking their first lead of the game.
Niagara tried to mount a comeback in the ninth but were unsuccessful, ultimately falling 8-7.
The second game of the doubleheader was halted due to rain and will finish up Sunday March 8 at 11:30.
Game Notes
Niagara is now 1-3 all-time against Merrimack
Vivacqua tied a career-high with three base knocks
Brooks recorded his fifth multi-hit game of the season
Kozar hit his first home run of the season
Up Next
Niagara finishes up game two of the series against Sacred Heart Sunday March 8 at 11:30 before closing out the series following the completion of game two.
