ANDOVER, Mass. (Interstat) — Jack Andrews delivered a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth inning, capping a three-run rally that propelled the Merrimack Warriors to an 8-7 victory over the Niagara Purple Eagles in the first game of a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday at Merrimack Baseball Diamond.

The Warriors, who trailed by four runs early, completed the comeback against the Niagara bullpen in the eighth. Deshiro Matt reached on an error by shortstop Jacob Brooks and Hamilton Jayden followed with a single. After a wild pitch from reliever Andrew Damiani advanced both runners, Joe Frammartino laced a two-run single to center field, tying the game at 7-7.

Frammartino then stole third base, setting the stage for Andrews, who lifted a fly ball to deep center field, allowing Frammartino to score easily with the decisive run.

The game began in chaotic fashion, with Niagara capitalizing on wildness and defensive miscues to build a 7-0 lead by the third inning. The Purple Eagles scored three times in the first without a hit, using two walks, a hit batter, a stolen base and two Merrimack errors. Rees Kozar added a two-run homer in the second, and Brooks scored twice on errant throws by Merrimack catchers.

Merrimack chipped away, scoring twice in the first on Andrews’ two-run single and adding single runs in the second and fifth frames. The comeback was anchored by the stellar relief work of Colby Barker, who entered in the fourth inning. Barker silenced the Niagara offense over five scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and striking out four to earn the win. His performance stabilized the game after the Warriors’ rocky start.

Niagara starter Carter Fink held Merrimack hitless over 4 2/3 innings but was undone by control issues, walking six and allowing four earned runs. The Purple Eagles’ bullpen could not preserve the lead, with Eddie Dolansky, Nathan Harb and Damiani combining to allow four runs over the final 3 1/3 innings.

Kozar led Niagara’s 10-hit attack, going 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. Brooks also had two hits and an RBI. For Merrimack, which finished with 11 hits, Frammartino went 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Andrews drove in four runs, including the game-winner. Cole Yennaco pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.

With the victory, Merrimack improved to 3-6 overall. Niagara fell to 2-9. The teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader later Saturday.