Friday April 18, 2008 (Dallas, PA) – The Crusaders suffered their first conference sweep this afternoon with a 4-3 and 3-2 loss at the hands of Misericordia University. Game one starter Michelle Jensen (Holland, NJ/Delaware Valley) scattered six hits and three earned runs through six innings of work and game two starter Emily Williams (Minersville, PA/Nativity) also gave up only six hits and all three runs scored were unearned. Alvernia was held to six hits in the first game and five in the second game.
In game one Alvernia found themselves behind 3-0 after the third inning and finally added two of their own in the top of the sixth inning to bring them within one run. Rhiannon Sorrentino (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) started the rally with a one-out walk and Jackie Rhoads (Dillsburg, PA/Northern York) followed with a single. An error by the shortstop put runners on second and third with two out. Williams then stroked a single up the middle to score both runners.
Misericordia added another run in their half of the inning for the 4-2 advantage. Alvernia managed to push one more across in the top of the seventh thanks to an RBI pinch hit single from Ashley Leonhard (Bernville, PA/Tulpehocken) but were unable to tie the game after a deep fly ball from Sorrentino for the final out.
The second game saw Misericordia strike first with a run in the bottom of the third inning on an overthrow to third from Alvernia's catcher. The Crusaders would even the score at one in the top of the fifth on a two-out RBI double from Sorrentino to score Dina Chiappelli (Shippensburg, PA/Shippensburg) who had reached on an error. Alvernia would then take their first lead of the day in the sixth inning when Shannon Higgins (Blue Bell, PA/Wissahickan) hit a line shot off of the pitcher that ended up in left field to score Williams who had walked.
Alvernia now had the 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. Misericordia's lead-off batter started them off with a single to right field. A strike out and fly out later gave Alvernia two outs with still just a runner at first base. Williams induced a ground ball up the middle that she quickly fielded but overthrew allowing runners to advance to second and third base. Misericordia's Lindsay Miller hit the first pitch she saw for a single up the middle to score both runs and give Misericordia the come from behind win.
With the loss Alvernia falls to 24-9 (10-4 PAC) and Misericordia improves to 11-3 in the PAC. The Crusaders will travel to Cabrini tomorrow for a key conference doubleheader beginning at 1:00 pm.
Misericordia 4, Alvernia 3
Misericordia 3, Alvernia 2
