ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Two costly innings proved the difference for Niagara as the Purple Eagles rallied past the St. Bonaventure baseball team, 17-12, in midweek action Wednesday afternoon at Handler Park.
St. Bonaventure led until the sixth when the Purple Eagles broke through for six runs.
Niagara raced ahead 9-6 after trailing, but the Bonnies tied it up in the seventh as a sacrifice fly from Jackson DeJohn made it a 9-9 score.
The Purple Eagles took the lead with a run in the eighth, however, and put the game on ice with seven in the ninth.
Bona's scored three times in their last at-bat, but it wouldn't be enough.
Adam Rankie had a season-best four hits while Kyle Caccamise doubled in two runs.
Niagara jumped on the board in the first with an RBI single from Max Giordano.
The Bonnies responded with three runs in the home half, thanks in part to four walks handed out by Niagara pitching. Bona runs crossed the plate on a hit batter, double play ball, and wild pitch.
The Purple Eagles got a run back in the third, but the Bonnies answered with two in the home half of the inning. Pierce Hendershot brought a run home with an infield single and a double play ball plated another later in the frame.
Giordano brought Niagara back within 5-3 on the 11th homer of the season by Giordano in the fifth. Chris Hoalcraft gave the Bonnies a three-run lead again on a sac fly before the Purple Eagles rallied in the sixth.
The Bonnies are back in action with a return to A-10 play at George Mason this weekend.
