EASTON, Pa. - The Niagara baseball team (13-33) dropped both games of a non-conference doubleheader at Lafayette (14-30) on Saturday. The Purple Eagles allowed a walk-off hit in a seven-inning loss in game one, 5-4, before falling 12-7 in the nightcap.

Senior Matt Wietlispach had three hits and four RBIs on the day, while rookie pitcher Brett Sabourin pitched his best career outing, earning a no decision in game one.

Lafayette 5, Niagara 4
For the second-straight contest, the Puprle Eagles allowed the winning run to score in the opposition's final at bat. This time, when A.J. Miller collected his third RBI of the afternoon, it wasted a pair of Niagara comebacks.

After falling behind 2-0 early on, a three-run, five-hit fifth inning gave Niagara a 3-2 advantage in the seven-inning affair. Junior Brian Deering led off the frame with a solo home run, and Wietlispach singled home a pair with one out to give NU its first lead of the game.

After the bullpen surrendered two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, Niagara was down to its last out, trailing 4-3. After a pair of quick outs, senior Trevor Rutkowski doubled to left center and was replaced by pinch runner Anthony Ruggerio. After an intentional walk to freshman Ryan McCauley, senior Jason Cramer tied the game with a two-out single through the left side, plating Ruggerio.

Senior reliever Dennis Chachko allowed a leadoff single and a game-winning double, picking up his fourth loss of the season.

The blown save and eventual loss by the NU bullpen spoiled a great outing by Sabourin. The rookie tossed five innings while holding the Leopards to just three hits and two runs.

Lafayette 12, Niagara 7
In the nightcap, Niagara was able to pound out 17 hits, but poor pitching and fielding cost the team a Saturday split.

Rutkowski and junior Cam Stykemain chipped in with three hits in game two, while McCauley knocked in three runs to bring his total of the week to 11.

Niagara's big inning came in the sixth, when they knocked out six hits and scored five times. McCauley doubled home Wietlispach and Rutkowski with two outs, making the score 9-6.

Deering started on the mound for the second time in his career and was charged with nine runs, seven earned, in 3.2 innings of work.

The two teams resume the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.