NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. -The Le Moyne College Dolphins saw their early 5-0 lead fade away heading into the fifth inning. The Purple Eagles rallied back in the late innings to defeat the Dolphins 8-6. Niagara improves to 12-11 with the win, sending Le Moyne to 11-16. Niagara clawed their way back into the game with exceptional bullpen pitching and key two run RBI singles from Chris Leendertse and Frank Kurnik. Both Niagara players helped generate the seven unanswered runs in the 8-6 victory. Junior Matt Nandin would lead all Dolphins with his three hits at the plate (3-5 1 RBI).

The Dolphins would quickly get on the board by a Phil St. Amant RBI single through the left side, scoring Stephen Crawford, who previously doubled. Le Moyne would tack on four additional runs to their 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning scattering four hits throughout the inning. The big hits in the inning came of the bats of senior Robert Perez and junior Chris Haynes. Perez would stroke a RBI triple to the right center field gap, scoring Sean Paino. Haynes would blast a RBI double down the left field line. Freshman Corey Nelson shut down the Purple Eagles to just one run in 5.2 innings of work, allowing four hits.

Niagara would tack on eight runs in the fifth through eight innings, allowing them to comeback for the win. Down 6-4 in the seventh, Leendertse would drive in the tying run with his two RBI single up the middle. Kurnik would deliver a two RBI single the following inning to put the Purple Eagles ahead for good.

The Dolphins will be on the road for a three game series against St. Peters Saturday April 12TH-Saturday April 13TH. First pitch of Saturday's double header is set for noon Saturday.

Billy Rizzo - Sports Information Assistant