Niagara University, N.Y. — Niagara sent 12 batters to the plate in a stunning eight-run sixth inning Friday afternoon and rolled past Rider 12-3 in MAAC play.
The Purple Eagles improved to 21-15-1, 16-6 MAAC, while the Broncs fell to 24-15, 16-6 MAAC.
Niagara wasted no time getting on the board. Brooks led off with a single to left and moved to second when Elijha Hammill was hit by a pitch. A throwing error by Craig allowed Jacob Brooks to advance to third, and Noah Konings followed with an RBI single through the left side to score him. Rees Kozar was then hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Curtis McKay singled up the middle to drive in Hammill, making it 2-0.
Niagara starter Reuben Malamed was sharp in a 1-2-3 first, fanning two of the three Rider batters he faced.
Niagara added to its lead in the second. Brooks singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch and came around to score on a two-out RBI single up the middle by Kozar.
After two scoreless innings Rider finally got on the board in the fifth. Paskell led off with a double through the left side and scored on a two-out RBI single up the middle by Medlock. Magoulic's run-scoring wild pitch off reliever Carter Fink made it 3-2, and Medlock came home on a groundout by Leahy to tie the game at three.
Niagara answered immediately. McKay led off the home fifth and drove the first pitch he saw over the left-field wall for a solo home run, giving the Purple Eagles a 4-3 lead heading to the sixth.
The game was decided in the bottom of the sixth, as the Purple Eagles plated eight runs. Shawn Cameron got things started, scoring on an error from the Broncs second baseman. Kozar followed that up with an RBI single to score Brooks. McKay then singled to right to plate Hammill and Konings, Tyler Vivacqua tripled to right center, clearing the bases, scoring McKay and Kozar. Vivacqua scored on another Broncs error and finally Cameron stole home to wrap up the inning and give Niagara a 12-3 lead.
Nathan Harb worked a scoreless inning for Niagara over the seventh, as Jack Dickinson came on in the eighth and worked two innings, striking out five and walking one to close out the victory.
Game Notes
Niagara is now 28-51 all-time against Rider
Konings, Brooks and McKay all recorded three hits
Konings is now on a 12 game hitting streak
Kozar extended his on-base streak to 15 games
Up Next
Niagara continues their three-game series with Rider Saturday May 2 at 2:00 pm at Bobo Field.
