NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. — Jason Green singled up the middle to score Curtis McKay in the bottom of the 10th inning Sunday, lifting Niagara to a 1-0 walk-off victory over Rider in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at Bobo Field.
The Purple Eagles improved to 22-16-1, 17-7 MAAC, while the Broncs fell to 25-16, 17-7 MAAC.
Niagara starter Gage Wheaton retired the side in order after a leadoff single, while Elijha Hammill got the Purple Eagles their first base runner in the bottom of the first.
Both teams went in order in the second and got nothing going in the third. Rees Kozar singled in the fourth to give Niagara another base runner, but he could not get driven home.
In the bottom of the fifth it looked like the Purple Eagles got some life with a Jacob Brooks single to left field that Green rounded third on, but a throw from the Rider left fielder caught him at home to keep the game scoreless.
Niagara saw the Broncs' out and home and wanted a taste of the action, completing one of their own when Brooks threw out Magoulic to end the top of the sixth. Kozar singled once again in the bottom of the frame, but once again was not brought home.
Wheaton's spectacular day came to an end after the seventh, allowing no runs with five strikeouts. Andrew Damiani came on for relief.
Niagara threatened in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with two outs but ultimately were not able to bring a run across the plate, sending the game to extra innings.
Rider got one baserunner in the top of the tenth with a walk, but Damiani shut the door. Curtis McKay started things off for the Purple Eagles in the bottom of the frame, singling to right field and then promptly stole second. In a 2-2 count Green then rolled a ball up the middle which allowed McKay to round third and beat the throw to the plate for the walkoff win.
Game Notes
Niagara is now 29-52 all-time against Rider
The Purple Eagles became the first team to take the series over the Broncs this season
Wheaton threw a career-high seven innings of scoreless ball
Kozar extended his on-base streak to 17 games with three base knocks
Konings is now on a 14 game hitting streak
Up Next
Niagara continues their home stretch taking on Le Moyne in a non-conference match Tuesday May 5 at 3:00 pm at Bobo Field.
