Sophomore relief pitcher Mike Momka (20) covers first on a double play during the game against Niagara on March 16, 2018 at McLane Baseball Stadium. The Spartans fell to the Purple Eagles, 3-2.
—The Spartans fell 3-2 to Niagara University in the second home game of the season Friday at McLane Baseball Stadium.
With a chilly game temperature of 35 degrees, the Spartans were looking to extend a winning streak after yesterday's victory against the Eagles.
Senior right-handed pitcher Landon Ethan was the starting pitcher and was able to hold off the Eagles for the first few innings.
However, the Eagles managed to get their first hit of the game at the top of the third. Niagara senior outfielder Trevor McCauley hit the first run of the game leading the Eagles up 1-0 in the top of the third.
The Eagles lead didn’t last long as the redshirt junior outfielder Dan Chmielewski bat into the left-center field allowing for sophomore outfielder Bryce Kelley to get the Spartans first run of the game. This was quickly followed by Chmielewski scoring the Spartans' second run making it a Spartan 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth.
Sophomore lefty Mitchell Tyranski took over for Ethan at the mound managing to hold off the Eagles well into the ninth inning. The Eagles didn’t manage to gain any runs until the top of the ninth.
As sophomore right-hander Mike Mokma took over the mound as pitcher, the Eagles managed to get runners on third and second base. Eagles outfielder Darian Blanks scored the second run for Niagara evening the score up to 2-2. On an error, the Eagles began advancing to second and third base, allowing for Niagara’s Benny Serrano to score ending the top of the ninth with a 3-2 Eagles lead. At the bottom of the ninth, the Spartans struck out ending the game.
The Spartans will look to bounce back Saturday as they take on the Eagles in the third game of this four-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
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