BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Apr. 8, 2008) – Sophomore starter Shane Zellers (Wiconisco, Pa./Williams Valley) struck out nine over six innings and senior catcher Dale Curry (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) drove in four runs to lead Alvernia College to an 8-1 win over crosstown rival Albright College Tuesday afternoon in non-conference baseball action at Kelchner Field.

Curry and senior outfielder James Geosits (Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson) each drove in a pair of runs in the first inning and that was all the Crusaders' pitching staff needed. Zellers gave up five hits and a walk, but kept the Lions (9-13) off balance striking out two to end the second, two more to close the fifth, and back-to-back looking to end the sixth with the bases loaded.

The offense added insurance in the seventh sending 11 men to the plate resulting in five runs. The first two batters of the inning were retired, but senior Tim Carroll (Bensalem, Pa./Conwell Egan) doubled and freshman Chris Stoudt (West Lawn, Pa./Governor Mifflin) doubled him in after Steve Bealer (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) was plunked. Curry welcomed the Lion's reliever with a 3-run homer and the Crusaders added another run before the inning was out.

Albright's lone run came on a home run in the bottom of the eighth, but the Crusaders easily held on for their 21st win of the season.

Alvernia is off for two days before opening a three-game set with Eastern University on Friday in St. Davids.

Alvernia 8, Albright 1