Wednesday May 7, 2008 (Reading, PA) – The Crusader softball team (31-12) fell to Lake Erie College (22-18) this afternoon in the first round of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championships.  Alvernia battled back from an early 2-0 deficit to take the 3-2 late in the game, but could not hold off the Lake Erie rally.  Senior Jackie Rhoads (Dillsburg, PA/Northern York) was 2-for-3 with three RBIs on the day.

Alvernia stranded six runners through the first four innings and watched Lake Erie take the 2-0 lead before coming back with a run of their own in the fifth inning on an RBI single from Rhoads.  Down 3-1 heading into the sixth inning the Crusaders rallied to take the lead 3-2 thanks to an two-RBI single from Rhoads.  Lake Erie struck with a run of their own in the top of the seventh inning after three straight singles and a sacrifice fly.

Both teams plated a run in the international tie-breaker eighth inning.  The ninth inning saw Lake Erie score two runs and eventually hold on for the 6-4 win.

Lake Erie 6
Alvernia 4