LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Baseball split its series-opening doubleheader with Niagara Friday afternoon at Connors Park. The Purple Eagles took the first game in a 2-0 shutout in seven innings, while the Saints captured the nightcap 11-4.
 
Game 1: Niagara 2, Siena 0 (7)
Marcus Cashman and Zach Cameron combined on a two-hit shutout as Niagara (2-4) captured the opener. Cashman went the first four innings for the win, while Cameron tossed three hitless frames to notch the save.
 
Benny Serrano led off the fourth inning with a solo home run for the Purple Eagles, and came around to score an insurance run in the sixth on a two-out single by Cole O'Connor.
 
Mike McCully was saddled with the tough luck loss, going the distance while scattering five hits and two runs while walking two and striking out four for Siena (3-3).
 
Game 2: Siena 11, Niagara 4
The Saints scored three runs apiece in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings to secure the doubleheader split.
 
Pat O'Hare cleared the bases, dunking in a three-run, wind-aided double just out of the reach of the outstretched second baseman down the right field line to stake Siena to a 5-0 fifth inning advantage. After Niagara got the three runs back in the next frame, the Saints put the game away with three more runs in the sixth and an additional three insurance runs in the seventh.
 
Devan Kruzinski, Ryan McGee, and Alex Milone produced consecutive two-out RBI singles in the sixth, while freshman Kobe Stenson capped the scoring with a two-run homer to celebrate his collegiate debut in the seventh. Tim Carroll also homered for Siena, while reaching base safely in all four plate appearances.
 
John Lumpinski went the first five innings to record his second straight win on the mound to open the season, while Arlo Marynczak settled into a four-inning save in which he struck out seven.
 
The teams wrap up their four games series Saturday with doubleheader action commencing at noon.