Wilde hits for cycle, Green, McKay, Kozar homer to lead Niagara to win
Calgary Bandits alum Evan Wilde (Airdrie, Alta.) hit for the cycle to help Niagara University to a 17-12 win over Canisius on Friday. Photo: Niagara University Athletics
May 16, 2025
Official Niagara University Athletics Release
Buffalo, N.Y. — Niagara secured the series victory against Canisius with a 17-12 victory Friday at the Demske Sports Complex.
How It Happened
Evan Wilde (Airdrie, Alta.) got things started for Niagara in the top of the first with a two-run double, but the Golden Griffins responded in the bottom of the frame with an RBI single.
The Purple Eagles put up a six spot in the second starting with a solo homer from Rees Kozar (Amherstburg, Ont.), followed by a two-run single from Jason Green (Georgetown, Ont.). Nate Milk rounded out the inning with a three-run homer to left field.
Curtis McKay (Dorchester, Ont.) homered to start the third and make it an eight-run game. Canisius put up four runs in the bottom of the frame to cut the lead to four.
Wilde homered in the fifth to give Niagara their 10th run of the game. The Purple Eagles put the game out of reach in the sixth with a two-run homer from Green and an RBI single from Kozar.
Jacob Brooks brought home Green to kick off the seventh followed by an RBI double off the bat of Milk. Canisius responded in the bottom of the frame with a grand slam to cut the lead to eight. The Golden Griffins then homered in the eighth to bring home two more runs.
Wilde singled to plate Brooks in the ninth and completed the cycle, while Tyler Vivacqua hit a sac fly to plate Milk for Niagara's final run of the contest. Canisius tacked on one run in the bottom of the ninth.
Matthew Delvecchio got the start for the Purple and White, throwing 3 2/3 innings. Luke Glenn (Queensville, Ont.) came in to toss three innings, while Jack Dickinson a third of an inning and Eddie Dolansky pitched the final two innings.
Niagara Notes
• Niagara is now 34-44-1 against Canisius.
• Wilde is the first Purple Eagle to hit for the cycle since Vincent Mauro in 2023.
• The Purple Eagles put up a season-high 20 hits.
• Six Purple Eagles recorded multi-hit games.
• Mauro tallied 4+ hits for the second time this season.
• Niagara's five home runs are the most since Le Moyne earlier this season.