POMONA, N.Y. — Tyler Vivacqua delivered the go-ahead single in a four-run 10th inning as Niagara outlasted Manhattan 15-11 in 10 innings Friday at Clover Stadium.
The Purple Eagles improved to 23-16-1 overall and 18-7 in MAAC play, while the Jaspers fell to 17-28, 8-17 MAAC.
After two scoreless innings, Niagara broke through with four runs in the top of the third. Nick Cote doubled down the left-field line to score Elijah Hammill, and Curtis McKay scored on a wild pitch. Tyler Vivacqua then launched a two-run home run to right field, making it 4-0.
Manhattan answered in the bottom half with six runs of its own. Sute reached on a fielder's choice as two runs scored. Trevor Hansen singled to score a run, Jackson Brinker singled home another, Ryan Lordier drove in a run through the right side, and Salva singled to left to plate one more and gave the Jaspers a 6-4 lead.
After a scoreless fourth, Jason Green singled through the right side to score both Vivacqua and Cote, knotting up the game at six.
Kozar singled to score Hammill in the sixth to regain the lead, but the 7-6 lead was short-lived. Manhattan erupted for four runs on Lewis's solo home run to right and a sequence of two walks, an error, a wild pitch and another walk that brought home three more. The Jaspers led 10-7 heading to the seventh.
Niagara again climbed back in the seventh with a two-run single from McKay that plated Shawn Cameron and Jacob Brooks, pulling the Purple Eagles to within one at 10-9.
Green tied things up at 10 in the top of the eighth with a double down the left-field line to score Nate Milk. In the bottom half, Colin Basehore led off with a solo home run to give Manhattan an 11-10 lead.
Niagara answered in the ninth as Vivacqua singled to second base to score Hammill and tie the game at 11, sending it to extras.
Niagara seized control with a four-run 10th. McKay singled to center to score Cameron, making it 12-11. Curtis McKay then stole second, and Kozar delivered the knockout blow, a two-run double to right-center that scored McKay and Brooks to make it 14-11. After Kozar advanced to third on a wild pitch and Milk drew a walk, Vivacqua singled to center to push the lead to 15-11. Andrew Damiani retired Manhattan in order in the bottom of the 10th to seal the victory.
Game Notes
Niagara is now 41-39 all-time against Manhattan
Vivacqua recorded a career-high five hits
Kozar extended his on-base streak to 18 games with two base knocks
Cote tied a career-high with three base knocks
Brooks, McKay and Green also all tallied three base hits
Up Next
Niagara continues their three-game MAAC series against Manhattan Saturday May 9 at 11:00 am.
