Hamden, Conn. — Curtis McKay homered twice as Niagara baseball (11-12, 7-4 MAAC) defeated Quinnipiac 4-3 Friday afternoon at QU Baseball Field,
The Purple Eagles improved to 11-12, 7-4 MAAC, while the Bobcats fell to 12-16, 5-6.
Niagara wasted little time getting on the board in the top of the first inning. Jacob Brooks reached on an error by Kyle Garbowski before Rees Kozar came through with a triple to right center, plating Brooks to give the Purple Eagles the early lead, 1-0.
The lead did not last long as Quinnipiac answered in the bottom of the second on a Cole Constable sacrifice fly to score Alex Irizarry to knot the game up at one.
Kozar came in clutch once again in the top of the third earning his second RBI of the day, this time grounding out to third which allowed Elijah Hammill to score and give Niagara a 2-1 lead.
The Bobcats once again answered relatively quickly, tying the game at two in the bottom of the fourth with Irizarry scoring on a Chase Camac groundout. Quinnipiac took their first lead of the game in the fifth with a solo homer off the bat of Christian Smith.
Curtis McKay answered in the top of the sixth with a solo home run of his own to once again tie the game up, this time at three.
After six innings Niagara starter Carter Fink's day came to an end allowing three runs on seven hits, striking out one. Nathan Harb came in for relief to start the seventh.
McKay gave the Purple Eagles life in the top of the eighth with his second home run of the contest to give Niagara a 4-3 lead heading into the final inning.
Harb earned the win and Andrew Damiani came on in the ninth to earn his eighth save of the season.
Game Notes
Niagara is now 19-16 all-time against Quinnipiac
McKay tied a season-high with three base knocks
Hammill has recorded multiple hits in three straight games for the first time in his career
McKay hit two home runs in the same game for the third time as a Purple Eagle
Up Next
Niagara wraps up the three-game series against Quinnipiac Saturday April 4 at noon in Hamden, Conn.
