March 12, 2008 (Immaculata, PA) – Freshman Michelle Jensen (Holland, NJ/Delaware Valley) tossed a perfect game as Alvernia defeated Immaculata 8-0 in the second game of the afternoon doubleheader. The Crusaders got their first win of the day behind Emily Williams (Minersville, PA/Nativity BVM) who scattered six hits and three runs over six innings of play for an 11-3 victory. With the win Alvernia improves to 5-4 (2-0 PAC).

 

Game one saw Alvernia jump out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning when lead-off batter Shannon Higgins (Blue Bell, PA/Wissahickan) reached on a shallow single to center field and freshman Samantha Geisinger (Thurmont, MD/Catoctin) followed with a single. Janelle Lynch (Macungie, PA/Brandywine) brought both runners around to score with a solid single to left center field. Another drive up the middle by Williams brought Lynch around for the third run of the inning. Immaculata quickly answered in their half of the inning with a two-run homerun from catcher Carol Mastrosante and tied the game in the third inning after a lead-off triple and a double by Jackie Finkbohner.

 

The Crusaders took the lead in the fourth inning behind four Immaculata errors and a two-RBI double from Higgins. They added two more runs in the fifth inning when senior Jackie Rhoads (Dillsburg, PA/Northern York) laced one to the shortstop who misplayed the ball allowing both runs to score. Alvernia secured the six-inning win with three more runs in the sixth inning off a two-run homerun from freshman Rhiannon Sorrentino (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) and an RBI-single from Laura Hetke (Coopersburg, PA/Southern Lehigh).

 

Game two saw freshman Jensen throw only the second perfect game in school history and strike out five over five innings. The Crusaders jumped ahead in the first inning when Sorrentino lead off with a double, followed by singles from Michele Kassab (Pompton Lakes, NJ/Pompton Lakes) and Rhoads to plate two for Alvernia. Alvernia added a third run in the second inning when Rachel Evans roped one to left field that got past the fielder allowing her to advance to third, and eventually score on a passed ball. Rhoads belted a homer in the third inning and connected for a two-RBI single in the fourth inning to add three more runs. Higgins came up with a clutch pinch-hit single to score Rhoads for Alvernia's seventh run. Kassab's RBI single in the fifth inning would be all Alvernia needed to secure the 8-0 five-inning victory. 

 

Williams was 3-for-5 on the day with three runs scored and an RBI. Sorrentino was 5-for-8 on the day with a homerun, two RBIs and three runs scored. Higgins was 4-for-5 on the day with three RBIs and two runs scored and Rhoads was 3-for-7 with four RBIs and three runs scored.

 

Alvernia will face Eastern University in a Friday afternoon double header beginning at 3:00 pm.