TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University baseball team hosted Niagara at John B. Schuerholz Park Friday afternoon, holding off the Purple Eagles for an 8-6 victory in the final non-conference series opener of the season.
 
Towson (4-12) got on the board in the bottom of the first on three hits, highlighted by Bryce Frederick and Jeremy Wagner's singles to right center. Niagara (10-7) got on the board in the fourth, with a pair of doubles knocking in a run. The Tigers extended the lead to 8-1 in the sixth inning, scoring the final two of the frame on Elijah Dickerson's single to right field. The Purple Eagles cut the lead to five in the top of the seventh on four hits. Niagara pulled within two in the ninth inning on Desjardins' three-run home run to right field. Justin Rebok entered the game and retired the final two batters for an 8-6 final at Schuerholz Park.
 
Key Stats:

• Towson starter Max Simpson (2-2) registered the victory in his seven-inning stint, allowing one earned run on seven hits with one walk issued. Simpson matched his career high from his last start with eight strikeouts on the afternoon. Justin Rebok (2) picked up his second save of the season with a clean line in 0.2 innings of work.
• Niagara starter Max Ramirez (2-2) took the loss, allowing four runs, two earned, on six hits with two walks issued in his 5.0 inning start. Ramirez fanned six batters.
• All but one starter in the Towson lineup picked up a hit in Friday's series opener. Bryce Frederick led the charge with a 3-for-4 day at the plate with an RBI and run scored.

 
How it Happened:

• Towson opened the scoring in the first inning, picking up four runs on three hits. Two pairs of singles and sacrifice flies brought the runs in.
• Niagara got on the board in the fourth inning. After Rataczek's leadoff double to left field, Matt Ward dropped in a double down the right field line to plate the runner.
• The Tigers extended their lead to seven runs on four hits in the sixth inning. Williamson knocked home a runner with a single through the left side and Dickerson knocked home two later in the frame on a single to right field.
• Niagara cut it to an 8-3 game in the top half of the seventh, scoring one on a single to left field with a runner on third and a double to left center on the next at-bat.
• The Purple Eagles cut the Tiger lead to two runs in the ninth on Desjardins home run to right field with two runners on base.
• Justin Rebok entered the game and forced the final two outs to pick up his second save of the season in the 8-6 win.

 
Inside the Numbers:

• Max Simpson now stands 10^th in the CAA with 21 strikeouts this season after back-to-back starts with career-high marks of eight. He is one of just 12 pitchers in the league with at least two wins in 2024.
• Elijah Dickerson picked up his 11^th multi-hit game of the season. The next closest Tiger is Bryce Frederick, who picked up his fourth of the season this afternoon.
• Brian Heckelman reached base safely for the 12^th consecutive game to lead the team. He finished the afternoon 1-for-4 with an RBI and run scored.

 
On Deck:
The series between the Tigers and Purple Eagles continues tomorrow with game two at 2:30 p.m. at John B. Schuerholz Park.