NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. - Michael Affronti (Dix Hills, N.Y./Commack) and Stephen Crawford (Webster, N.Y./Finger Lakes CC) had three hits each as Le Moyne held off Niagara 8-7 in a MAAC baseball game at Sal Maglie Stadium. Le Moyne's win, coupled with Rider's 7-2 loss to Manhattan, pushes the Dolphins (30-12, 15-5 MAAC) into first place in the league standings.
Le Moyne jumped out to a 7-0 lead over the first five and ½ innings. Ben Gaal (Manlius, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy) and Phil St. Amant (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) singled home runs in the second. In the fourth, Keith Connors (Jamesport, N.Y./Commack) and Andy Parrino (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) knocked in one run each and Crawford plated one run on a sacrifice bunt. Corey O'Neill (Pittsford, N.Y./McQuaid) doubled and scored and Connors drove in Crawford to deliver Le Moyne a seven-run advantage in the top of the sixth.
Niagara began to chip away in the bottom of the sixth with two runs off Le Moyne starter Michael Falasca (Sicklerville, N.J./Gloucester Catholic). Jeff Vincent (Baldwinsville, N.Y./Baldwinsville) drew a leadoff walk, stole second and third and scored on Mike Alati's single. Vincent's second stolen base was his program single-season record 29th of the season. Alati later scored on single by Tim Alberts (Baldwinsville, N.Y./Baldwinsville).
The Purple Eagles (22-23, 12-9 MAAC) scored two times in the eighth and three in the ninth. Ryan Woods (Jacksonville, Fla./Englewood), who pitched three and 1/3 innings in Saturday's 5-4 win, got the final two outs for his sixth save. Falasca (3-4) struck out six and allowed six hits in six and 2/3 innings for his third win of the season.
After sweeping the three-game series with the Purple Eagles, Le Moyne has won eight consecutive MAAC games and 13 of the last 14 overall. The Dolphins return to action at home on Saturday with a key MAAC series against Marist.
