Niagara Purple Eagles

The Catamounts open the 2022 baseball season at home as they host the Niagara Purple Eagles for a four-game series in Cullowhee. This series opens the season for both teams.  

Who: Niagara Purple Eagles
When: Friday (DH), Saturday, Sunday
Time: Fri - DH 2:00; Sat - 2:00 pm; Sun -1:00 pm
Where: Hennon Stadium, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-announcers: Daniel Hooker
TV/Video: none
Live Stats: WCU live stats
Nickname: Purple Eagles
Colors: Purple & White
Conference: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC)

The Series:  The Cats are 2-0 overall against Niagara on the baseball diamond.  This is just the second series between the Catamounts and Purple Eagles. The first meeting in 2016 was a pair of midweek games. WCU swept a pair of seven-inning games in the doubleheader, winning 17-4 and 10-2.

Fan Message Board: Niagara Nation

Head Coach: Rob McCoy enters his 13th season as head coach in 2021 and 14th season overall with Niagara.

Niagara's 2021 record: 17-17 overall, 6-6 home, 11-11 away, 17-15 MAAC

Niagara University (NU) is a private Catholic university in the Vincentian tradition in Lewiston in Niagara County, New York. It is run by the Congregation of the Mission and has 3,300 undergraduate students in 50 academic programs. Approximately half of the students are residents while the other half commute from the surrounding area. The college is known as a liberal arts school but offers programs in technical and pre-professional disciplines as well. 

Niagara finished sixth in the MAAC a year ago, finishing 17-17 as the league played a conference-only baseball schedule. The four-game season-opening road swing at WCU opens a stretch of 30-straight road games for the Purple Eagles who won't play at home at Bobo Field until mid-April of the 2022 schedule. 

Niagara was picked to finish tied for 6th place in the 11 team MAAC preseason coaches poll for the 2022 season.

Game 1: - Friday, Feb. 18 | 2:00 p.m.  |  Coverage: Listen LIVE  |  Live Stats
Probable Starters:
Western Carolina - RHP Zebby Matthews (2021: 6-2, 3.52 ERA, 61.1 IP, 60K, 7BB)
Niagara - LHP Jacob Bruning (2021: 3-3, 4.30 ERA, 44.0 IP, 39K, 24BB)

Game 2: - Friday, Feb. 18 | approx. 5:30 p.m.  |  Coverage: Listen LIVE  |  Live Stats
Probable Starters:
Western Carolina - LHP Eric Wallington (2021: 0-1, 6.75 ERA, 13.1 IP, 18K, 18BB)
Niagara - RHP Marcus Cashman (2021: 2-2, 5.79 ERA, 14.0 IP, 13K, 7BB)

Game 3: - Saturday, Feb. 19 | 2:00 p.m.  |  Coverage: Live Stats
Probable Starters:
Western Carolina - RHP Lucas Hartman (Freshman)
Niagara - LHP Evan Wilde

Game 4: - Sunday, Feb. 20 | 1:00 p.m.  |  Coverage: Listen LIVE  |  Live Stats
Probable Starters:
Western Carolina - RHP Gavin Mortenson (2021: 2-0, 5.82 ERA, 34.0 IP, 34K, 21BB)
Niagara - LHP Blake MacMillan (Transfer)