BOX SCORE | PHOTOS

Reading, Pa. (Mar. 11, 2008) – Freshman starter Chuck Nicholas (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) went seven strong innings and senior centerfielder Tim Carroll (Bensalem, Pa./Conwell Egan) led the offense with two hits, two runs, and two RBIs as Alvernia opened the home schedule with a 7-1 win over Franklin & Marshall Tuesday afternoon in non-conference baseball action at Alvernia.

The Crusaders (10-4) used a five run second inning to gain control and Nicholas improved to 2-0 giving up just one run on six hits while striking out a pair. Carroll did the bulk of the damage with a bases loaded double to center to score a pair and later came around on a wild pitch.

Both teams went relatively quietly through the middle innings with Alvernia putting a pair on twice, once in the third and once in the sixth, but failed to score. Sophomore catcher Steve Bealer (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) erased a leadoff base runner in the fourth when the Diplomats tried to swipe second with no one out, and Nicholas didn't allow a runner past first after giving up a run in the second.

Freshman shortstop Tim Ahlquist (Millville, N.J./Millville) also picked up a pair of hits for the Crusaders and F&M junior Shea Moriarity (Wilton, Conn./Wilton) was the only batter to collect three hits on the day.

Alvernia junior Steve Geisel (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) pitched a scoreless eighth and senior closer Andrew Long (Pottstown, Pa./Pottstown) struck out the side in the ninth.

Alvernia will begin the conference schedule on Friday at Gwynedd-Mercy College.

Alvernia 7, Franklin & Marshall 1