GAME 1 BOX SCORE
GAME 2 BOX SCORE

Tuesday March 18, 2008 (Reading, PA) - The Crusader softball team swept PSU-Berks this afternoon at home in non-conference action by scores of 8-6 and 14-2.  The first game of the afternoon saw Alvernia fall behind 5-3 by the second inning before tying the game at five in the fifth inning and adding three more runs in the sixth inning.  The second game of the doubleheader was a different tale with the Crusaders posting five runs in the first inning , three in the third and six in the fourth inning.

In the first game Alvernia saw PSU-Berks jump ahead 2-0 in the top of the first inning when Megan Sowders (Atco, NJ/Hammonton) gave up two walks and surrendered a two-RBI double.  The Crusaders battled back with three of their own in the bottom half of the first when Sam Geisinger (Thurmont, MD/Catoctin) hit a bases loaded single to the right fielder that snuck past her glove to score all three runs.  PSU-Berks would take the lead back very quickly in the second inning off of five hits and a Crusader error to put them up 5-3.  Junior Emily Williams (Minersville, PA/Nativity BVM) came in to relieve Sowders one batter into the third inning and struck out 11 over five innings while allowing only one unearned run.  

Senior Jackie Rhoads (Dillsburg, PA/Northern York) lead off the fifth inning with a solo shot over the center field fence to bring Alvernia within one run.  Geisinger would even the score at five after she reached on a single and eventually scored on a PSU error.  PSU pushed a run across in the sixth inning on a passed ball for the 6-5 lead, but Alvernia posted three runs in the bottom of the sixth for the eventual 8-6 win.  The sixth inning was highlighted by a two-run frozen rope over the left center field fence by pitcher Williams.  Williams then shut down the PSU offense with three strike outs to end the game.

Rhiannon Sorrentino (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) was 3-for-4 in game one with two runs scored and Geisinger was 2-for-3 with one run scored and three RBIs.

The Crusaders could relax a little bit in the second game after scoring five runs in the first inning.  Freshman pitcher Michelle Jensen (Holland, NJ/Delaware Valley) was successful in shutting down the PSU offense giving up only one hit over four innings of work for her fifth win of the season.  

Alvernia added two more runs in the third inning and put the game out of reach in the fourth with a two-run triple by Michele Kassab (Pompton Lakes, NJ/Pompton Lakes).  

Kassab was 3-for-4 including two triples with two runs scored and five RBIs in game two and Lauren Crimi (Nazareth, PA/Notre Dame) was 3-for-3 with three runs scored.

The Crusaders will break for Easter and travel to Marywood on March 28th for a conference doubleheader.

Alvernia 8, PSU-Berks 6
Alvernia 14, PSU-Berks 2