PHILADELPHIA - The Niagara baseball team (4-15) fell in the second game of the Villanova Baseball Bash at Temple University on Saturday, 12-9. The Purple Eagles five-run, ninth-inning rally came up short.

Seniors Matt Wietlispach and Timothy Cozier and junior Brian Deering each recorded two RBIs, and all nine batters collected at least one hit in the loss.

Wietlispach led the game off with a home run and took a 2-1 lead after sophomore Adam Wagner stole second and then scored on freshman Wes Walker's RBI single.

Niagara extended its lead to 3-2 in the fourth when Wagner reached on a three-base error by the center fielder and scored on a passed ball.

The Owls posted a three-spot in the fifth inning with four-straight hits to lead off the frame, including a two-run double. Senior right hander Bill Rafferty escaped the jam and held Temple scoreless in the sixth inning, keeping NU close, 5-3.

Freshman Kody Kasper entered in relief and allowed a seven run seventh inning, as the Owls blew the game open. Temple sent 11 men to the plate that included a grand slam by the leadoff hitter.

Cozier knocked in Jason Cramer, after the senior shortstop tripled in the eighth, cutting the lead to 12-4. The Purple Eagles then sent nine batters to the plate in the ninth, but the fierce rally came up short.

Walker started the frame off with a single to short before Cam Stykemain drew a walk. Both runners advanced on a passed ball and Wietlispach singled home Walker for the first of five ninth-inning runs.

After Stephen Smith drew a walk, Deering singled home both Stykemain and Wietlispach with a laser to second base. Ryan McCauley brought home Smith with NU's fourth of five singles in the frame, and Deering scored on Cozier's second-straight RBI, but a double play ended the threat.

Niagara concludes the Baseball Bash at La Salle on Sunday at 12:15 p.m.