Sean McWilliams

NIAGARA FALLS, NY – A run in the bottom of the sixth inning of game one and a single tally in the bottom of the tenth in the nightcap helped lift Niagara sweep the University at Buffalo in the Big 4 rivalry doubleheader on Tuesday at Sal Maglie Stadium.

A single just out of the shortstop's outstretched hands by Andrew MacDonald in the bottom of the tenth inning helped lift the Purple Eagles (8-17 overall) to a 4-3 win in the second game.

Niagara tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning off freshman Tony Kurtz (Newfane, NY/Newfane) , as Mike Medici walked with one out. After a fly out, Mike Alati singled. On the next play, Matt Schaefer hit a ball up the middle that the shortstop backhanded but couldn't make an out on. Meanwhile, Medici was able to score when Alati got stuck in a rundown between second and third after overrunning the bag.

Buffalo (11-16 overall) took the lead in the top of the fifth inning when senior left fielder John Boom (London, Ontario/Catholic Central) and senior shortstop Joe Mihalics (Tonawanda, NY/Timon-St.Jude) led off with singles. On the next play, freshman infielder Mike Folli (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) laid down a sacrifice bunt that the pitcher threw down the first baseline, allowing both runners to score and Folli to reach third. After two pop outs, senior center fielder Phil Vanhorne (Scarborough, Ontario/Mother Teresa) singled up the middle to give the Bulls the lead.

The Purple Eagles drew first blood in the third inning when Brian Clifford doubled down the right field line with two outs to score Daniel Parsons and MacDonald.

Vanhorne went 3-for-5 with an RBI and Folli went 3-for-4 with a run for the Bulls. Senior right fielder Andrew Wengert (Utica, NY/Proctor) and Mihalics also had two hits.

Alati and MacDonald each had three hits for Niagara.

Buffalo junior starter Sean McWilliams (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua) tossed four innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out eight before senior Anthny Marchioli (Buffalo, NY/West Seneca East) pitched a scoreless fifth. Kurtz (3-1) took the loss, allowing five hits, seven walks and two runs in four innings, striking out four.

Kyle Nicoletta (2-3) earned the win for Niagara, pitching two scoreless innings, allowing two hits to close the game. Combined with Mike Radonovic, Niagara's bullpen pitched six scoreless frames on the day.

In the first game, Medici scored the winning run in the bottom of the sixth on a single from Jeff Vincent to lift Niagara to a 2-1 win.

Medici reached on a one out single and took second on a wild pitch. After a fly out, Vincent hit a ball up the middle to score the winning run.

Niagara took the lead in the second inning when Vincent doubled to right center, stole third on a close play and scored on a wild pitch.

Buffalo answered in the third frame, as Mihalics reached on a throwing error and advanced on a sacrifice bunt. Junior first baseman James Kingsley (Medina, NY/Medina) singled and sophomore Dan Quinn (Hamburg, NY/Frontier) walked to load the bases. A sac fly by junior designated hitter David Amaro (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) brought in Mihalics.

Matt Francavillo

Sophomore Matt Francavillo (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) (0-3) took the hard-luck loss, pitching a complete game and allowing seven hits, a walk and two runs. He struck out three.

Niagara's Mark Wilson (1-1) earned the win after pitching a scoreless frame and Nicoletta earned the save, throwing the seventh inning. Starter Ryan Virtue pitched the first five for Niagara, allowing four hits, two walks and an unearned run. He struck out two.

Clifford, Medici and Vincent each had two hits in the game for the Purple Eagles.

Buffalo will look to end its current three-game skid when it travels to the Mid-American Conference East Division leader Miami (OH) for a three-game series that starts Friday at 3:00 pm.