Cortland, N.Y. — Niagara fell to Merrimack 6-4 in the series finale of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action Sunday afternoon.
After a scoreless first, Merrimack struck first with a two-run inning. Chris Goode then singled to drive in Cristino for the 1-0 lead, but Goode was caught stealing to end the threat momentarily. With two out, DeShiro walked and Jack Andrews came through with an RBI single to right field to score Scanlon and make it 2-0.
Niagara erupted for three runs in the top of the fourth with two outs to take the lead. Tyler Vivacqua and Kozar drew back-to-back walks to set the table. Elijha Hammill then singled to right field, driving in Vivacqua to make it 2-1. Hammill stole second and Shawn Cameron came through with a two-out RBI single to left, plating Kozar and giving Niagara a 3-2 lead. Jason Green added an RBI bunt single moments later to score Hammill and push the lead to 3-2. Cameron stopped at second and the inning ended with Panaro lining out. Wheaton then retired Merrimack in order in the fourth.
The Warriors regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Scanlon lined a two-run single through the right side to score Hamilton and Frammartino, giving Merrimack a 4-3 lead. Luke Glenn then ended the inning by inducing a double play.
The bottom half turned chaotic. Reuben Malamed entered in relief and walked DeShiro, then committed a throwing error that allowed runners to advance to second and third with two out. Malamed walked Hamilton to load the bases and was replaced by Rece Allensworth, who walked McGovern to force in a run and then walked Cristino, with DeShiro and Frammartino scoring on the plays to make it 6-3 before Scanlon ended the frame by striking out.
Niagara plated its final run in a last-gasp rally. With one out, Vivacqua singled to left and Kozar singled to right. McKay reached on a fielder's choice that erased Kozar, but Vivacqua raced home when McKay stole second on a heads-up play to trim the deficit to 6-4.
Game Notes
Niagara is now 2-4 all-time against Merrimack
Kozar recorded a season-high three hits to extend his hitting streak to 11 games
Malamed made his collegiate debut, recording his first collegiate strikeout
Allensworth tallied a season-high four strikeouts
Hammill recorded back-to-back multi-hit contests
Up Next
Niagara heads back into non-conference play for a three game series on the road against NJIT starting on Friday March 13 at noon.
