PHILADELPHIA - The Niagara baseball team (3-10) scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning to hand the Temple Owls their eighth-straight defeat on Saturday. The Purple Eagles trailed 2-1 heading into the final frame before rallying for the 5-3 victory.

Junior Jason Cramer (Jackson, N.J.) started the rally with a one-out two-run home run to left-center, giving the Purple Eagles a 3-2 lead. Cramer was 3-for-4 on the day, scoring twice and knocking in two.

Freshman Wynton Bernard (Poway, Calif.) followed with a double to left-center and advanced to third on a single down the left field line by senior Matt Lucchesi (San Francisco, Calif.). The senior backstop then stole second, forcing an intentional walk to set up the double play.

However, the Owls booted a sharp grounder to second base, allowing Bernard and Lucchesi to score, giving NU a 5-2 lead.

The last-inning heroics cemented a stellar outing by freshman Joe Candelmo (Orefield, Pa.). The left-hander pitched 7.1 innings, allowing one run and scattering five singles. He walked two and struck out three while facing 29 batters.

"It was nice to have one of our starting pitchers step up," Niagara head coach Rob McCoy said."He showed what he was capable of doing on the mound and we look forward to that for the rest of the year. We were finally able to put all three phases of the game together, and it was a good day for Niagara baseball."

Senior Mark Sikorsi (Toronto, Ont.) finished the eighth inning, to earn the victory. Classmate Dennis Chachko (Oceanport, N.J.) pitched the ninth for his second save of the season.

Luchessi, Bernard and Brian Deering (Springfield, Va.) finished the game with two hits, while Bernard added a pair of steals.