April 3, 2010

Final Stats

Siena and Niagara combined for nine errors and left 21 runners on base in a sloppy rubber game won by the Purple Eagles, 4-1, Saturday in Loudonville. Niagara rallied to take the final two games of the series after giving up a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the ninth in the opener yesterday.

The Saints went 17 innings without scoring a run - the last 10 innings in yesterday's extra inning loss, and the first seven in Saturday's setback. Thankfully, starter Zach Hartman (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa) kept the Saints close by tossing five shutout innings to begin the game.

Niagara did all its damage in the sixth, scoring four unearned runs after Andrew Sawyer's throwing error prolonged the inning. Ryan Poplowski relieved Hartman and pitched three scoreless innings before giving way to C.J. Sohl who got the last out in the top of the ninth to finish off a nice weekend by the Siena bullpen.

But the Siena offense was lifeless, especially with men on base. The Saints left the bases loaded in the fourth and fifth after leaving two men on in the third. Gary DerHagopian's home run in the eighth broke the scoreless drought and accounted for the Saints only run of the game.

DerHagopian finished with three hits and Kevin Quaranto added two for Siena which out-hit Niagara 10-9, but couldn't get any hits when it mattered.

Bill Rafferty tossed eight innings to pick up the win for Niagara, allowing only DerHagopian's home run in scattering nine hits. Geoff Strong mowed down the top of the Saints order in the ninth for his second save of the season.

Siena breaks for the Easter holiday before hosting NJIT here in Loudonville Tuesday.