Cortland, N.Y. — Nate Bennett turned in a dominant performance as Niagara baseball defeated Merrimack 4-0 on Saturday/Sunday in the second game of a doubleheader.

Niagara improved to 2-9 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Merrimack dropped to 3-6 overall and 1-1 in league action.

After two scoreless innings Niagara broke through with one run on a rally that featured back-to-back hits. Noah Konings led it off with a single through the right side, then Tyler Vivacqua doubled down the left-field line to put runners at second and third. Rees Kozar followed with an RBI single up the middle to score Konings and make it 1-0.

The Purple Eagles pushed across another run in the top of the fourth. Elijha Hammill opened with a single to center and eventually reached second on a groundout. Carmen Panaro then came through with a clutch two-out single to left-center, plating Hammill to extend the lead to 2-0.

Niagara tacked on two more runs in the top of the seventh to make it a four run game. Panaro singled to open the inning against new pitcher Michael Bradshaw. Konings followed with a single to put runners at first and second, and a passed ball advanced both runners. Vivacqua then delivered the knockout blow with a two-run single through the right side, scoring Panaro and Konings to make it 4-0. 

Purple Eagles starter Nate Bennett closed out his day with seven scoreless innings, striking out eight batters.

Luke Glenn came in for relief to pitch the eighth striking out one batter before weather struck.

Due to the weather the game was halted at the top of the ninth and resumed Sunday before the originally scheduled game.

Niagara closed out the game in the ninth with Andrew Damiani coming in and punching out three batters.

Game Notes

Niagara is now 2-3 all-time against Merrimack

Vivacqua tied a career-high with three base knocks

Panaro tied a career-high with his first two hits of the season

Konings recorded his sixth multi-hit game of the season

Kozar extended his hitting streak to 10 games