Box Score
Box Score    

DURHAM, N.C. – Niagara University pounded out 18 hits, including three home runs, while North Carolina Central University committed seven errors, resulting in a convincing 22-2 win for Niagara on Sunday (Feb. 23) afternoon at the Durham Athletic Park.

Of Niagara's 22 runs, half of them were unearned.

The visiting Purple Eagles blew open a 4-0 game by scoring nine runs in the sixth inning to take a commanding 13-0 lead.  NCCU responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth, but Niagara plated nine more runs in the next three innings.

Offensively, NCCU was topped by senior third baseman Tyson Simpson and sophomore first baseman Christian Triplett, who each hit 3-for-4 with a double. For Simpson, it was his third double of the weekend and he now has a team-high four on the season.

Niagara (3-4) had three batters drive in four runs. Sophomore first baseman Greg Rodgers went 3-for-5 with two doubles, four RBI and four runs scored. Sophomore catcher Pavel Chavez-Rusova hit 3-for-6 with a home run, four RBI and three runs scored. Sophomore outfielder Hayden Coll came off the bench in the eighth inning and belted a grand slam in the ninth. Junior outfielder Anthony Firenzi caps Niagara's top offensive performers with three hits, including a home run, two RBI and two runs scored.

Niagara's starting pitcher Drew Fittry scattered seven hits with seven strikeouts and just one walk in seven innings on the mound to earn the victory.  NCCU sophomore hurler Alex Dandridge allowed six earned runs in five innings of action in the loss.

NCCU (1-4-1) returns to the diamond on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at High Point University with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m.