Pomona, NY - Niagara baseball split a Sunday doubleheader with Manhattan taking game one 14-9, before dropping the nightcap 14-3 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action.

The Purple Eagles moved to 24-17-1, 19-8 MAAC, while the Jaspers moved to 18-29, 9-18 MAAC.

Game One

Niagara struck first with two runs in the first. Elijha Hammill and Curtis McKay singled to put runners on base, and both eventually scored on a wild pitch and a Rees Kozar fielder's choice. 

Manhattan answered in the bottom half when Vincent Samuel plated Lordier with a sacrifice fly, making it 2-1 after one.

The Purple Eagles blew the game open with a nine-run third. Hammill led off with a home run to left and Kozar followed with his own solo shot to left. Nick Cote then doubled and Tyler Vivacqua singled home Cote, then stole second. Jason Green drilled a two-run homer to right center, scoring Vivacqua. Jacob Brooks launched a two-run shot. Hammill singled, McKay doubled him home, and Kozar followed with an RBI double down the left-field line as Niagara led 11-1 through three.

Manhattan roared back with a seven-run fourth. Hunter Sute walked to force in a run, while Colin Basehore and Jackson Brinker each singled home a run. With the bases loaded, Jack Dickinson replaced Bennett and Lordier doubled in two more. Salva added a sacrifice fly, and Lordier later scored on a balk to cut the Purple Eagles lead to 11-8.

Niagara got a pair of insurance runs in the sixth as Green crushed a two-run homer to right to push the lead to 13-9.

Hammill recorded an RBI single, and McKay's sacrifice fly scored Brooks to make it 14-9 in the seventh.

Manhattan added a run in the eighth, but Eddie Dolansky held on to secure the 14-9 victory for Niagara. 

Game Two

Niagara got things started in the nightcap with two runs in the top of the second as Cote scored on a Ganschow sac fly, and Brooks followed that up with an RBI single to plate Vivacqua.

The Jaspers broke through in the bottom of the third, plating six runs. Samuel started with an RBI single, then Lewis hit a three-run homer to right center. Hansen doubled to plate a run and Brinker singled to cap off the inning and make it 6-2 Manhattan.

The Jaspers added to their lead in the fourth with a three-run homer from Best, followed by an RBI double from Brinker that plated one to move the lead to 10-2.

The Purple Eagles got back on the scoreboard in the sixth with a wild pitch that plated Vivacqua and cut the lead by one. 

Manhattan added four runs in the seventh with a two-run double from Lewis and a two-run homer from Best to enact the getaway day run rule and give the Jaspers a 14-3 victory.

Game Notes

Niagara is now 42-40 all-time against Manhattan

Hammill tallied four base knocks in game one

Green tied a career-high with two home runs in game one

The Purple and White hit four home runs in one inning for the first time since at least the 2013 season

Up Next

Niagara wraps up non-conference play against Mercyhurst Tuesday May 12 at 3:00 pm at Bobo Field.