Gathering on the pitcher’s mound during Niagara’s 10-0 tournament win May 29 over Northland Lutheran are, from left, Easton Holmes, Brayden Bartels, Reid Schroeder, Remington Buchanan and Noah Wheeler. (Coleton Mihelich photo)

Facing the No. 2 seed St. Thomas Aquinas Academy on Wednesday, the seventh-seeded Niagara Badgers made a late rally to attempt to extend the WIAA Division 4 Regional semifinal into extra innings in Marinette, Wis.

But the Cavaliers, who saw their three-run lead vanish when the Badgers scored two in the sixth and another in the seventh, pushed across the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to end Niagara’s season.

STAA, which beat Niagara 9-2 and 5-4 during the regular season, broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the bottom of the fourth.

But senior Easton Holmes knocked in two runs while AJ Sweig, Gavin Neuens and Remi Buchanan scored a run each as the Badgers rallied.

“It was a great game,” Niagara coach Brad Richtig said. “I’m so proud of my boys, they played with great effort. We just couldn’t overcome (STAA’s) pitching.”

The Badgers outhit the Cavaliers 7-5 led by Neuens who posted two. Holmes, AJ Sweig, TJ Beard, Landon Sweig and JJ Wallace added one each.

Holmes and Landon Sweig accounted for Niagara’s extra-base hits with a double apiece.

STAA showed discipline at the plate, drawing nine walks in the game to offset their hit disadvantage.

Buchanan got the start for Niagara and pitched two scoreless innings. He walked two and struck out four.

Holmes then relieved for two innings and allowed three hits and three runs (one earned) while walking four and striking out three

TJ Beard pitched the final 2 2/3 innings, allowing one earned run to be pinned with the loss.

Afterward, Richtig paid tribute to his seniors Neuens, AJ Sweig, Holmes, Beard, Brandon Wieland and Mason Holmes.

“Big thanks to the seniors,” the coach said. “They gave me a lot of time and effort and I really appreciate it.

“And a huge thanks to my assistant coaches Todd Lindeman and Phil Buckingham.”

Niagara reached the regional semifinal with a 10-0 win over Northland Lutheran on May 29.

STAA went on to win the regional title with a 4-3 win Thursday over Florence.