Niagara University, N.Y. — In the longest Niagara baseball game since 2022 the Purple Eagles fell to Canisius 4-3 in 12 innings Friday afternoon in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Action at Bobo Field.

Niagara fell to 11-15, 7-6 MAAC, while the Golden Griffins improved to 10-16, 7-6 MAAC.

After two scoreless innings Niagara broke through in the top of the third. Jacob Brooks singled, and Elijah Hammill reached on a Canisius error to put two aboard. Noah Konings singled to left, loading the bases. Rees Kozar then lofted a fly ball to right that that dropped for an error allowing two runs to score as Hammill and Brooks came across.

The lead did not last long though as Canisius responded to knot the game at two in the top of the fourth. JC Spinosa scored on a groundout, while Bennett Cox drove in Justin Bremner.
Niagara starter Reuben Malamed was pulled after his three innings of work in favor of Hayden Morrison.

After two from scoreless innings Morrison the Golden Griffins gained their first lead of the game in the top of the seventh as Bremner grounded out to plate Zwirecki. The Purple Eagles responded immediately Canisius reliever Sam Staerker. Matthew Ganschow led off with a triple to right field and scored easily on a sacrifice fly by Brooks to tie things up at three. 

Andrew Damiani relived Luke Glenn who came on to get the final out of the seventh, throwing another two scoreless innings to help force extra innings.

Neither team scored in the 10th or 11th^, and it was Canisius who found success in the extra frames as Cox singled to left to plate Andrew Marcello. Niagara tried to force another inning getting a runner on but could not bring him home ultimately falling 4-3.

Game Notes
Niagara is now 118-130-1 all-time against Canisius
This was the longest Niagara baseball game since May 8, 2022, against Canisius that went 14 innings
Damiani tied a career-high with five innings pitched
Konings recorded three hits for the third time this season
McKay extended his hitting streak to seven games

Up Next
Niagara wraps up their three-game series against Canisius with a doubleheader Saturday April 11 starting at 11:30 am