BOX SCORE (Game One)
BOX SCORE (Game Two)

Vero Beach, Fla. (Mar. 7, 2011) - Alvernia University (3-1) won both games against Muhlenberg by final scores of 4-2 and 4-3, needing one extra inning to close out game two. Freshman Mike Weinhold proved to be the difference in both games throwing five and a third innings in game one and driving in the winning run in game two in the top of the eighth inning. Third baseman Chris Ray went 5-for-6 on the day and was the only Crusader to have more than one hit in each game.

In game one, Weinhold threw five scoreless innings striking out nine and gave up only two runs on three hits. Weinhold did not allow a hit until the fourth inning and recorded all nine of his strikeouts in his first five innings of work.

The Crusaders started fast in game one when leadoff batter Brian Witkowski layed down the first pitch he saw for a bunt single down the third base line. After a walk and a single by Chris Ray, the Crusaders had the bases loaded with nobody out. Sophomore catcher Kevin Bailey stepped to the plate and took the second pitch of the at bat up the middle for a two run single. Reid Martin followed that up two batters later when his groundout scored the third run of the inning giving the Crusaders an early 3-0 lead.

The Crusaders scored their fourth run in the bottom half of the fourth inning when junior Travis Wrambel doubled and later scored on an RBI single off the bat of Leon Stimpson. Alvernia was unable to push any more runs across in game one and relied on senior closer Austin Rohrbach to come in for a four out save.

Rohrbach relieved Weinhold in the top of the sixth after Muhlenberg scored two runs and a Weinhold walk. With a man on first and two out, Rohrbach put an end to the inning with a strikeout. Rohrbach slammed the door in game one by striking out the side in the seventh giving the Crusaders the win by a final score of 4-2. In game one, Weinhold earned his first collegiate win and Rohrbach earned his first save of the season.

Game two saw the Crusaders jumping on the scoreboard early with the bases loaded following two walks and a single by Ray. Once again Bailey drove in a pair of runs on a single to give the Crusaders the 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

The Crusaders added another run in the second when junior Matt O'Neil scored after Muhlenberg second baseman Joe DiCecilia overthrew first base on an attempted double play. Muhlenberg was able to answer back in the third inning scoring two runs on four consecutive hits off Alvernia starter Cody Smith.

The Crusaders were unable to add any extra runs before Muhlenberg tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. The game remained tied until extra innings when Reid Martin led off the eighth inning with a double to left center. After a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk, the Crusaders had runners at the corners with one out.

Weinhold stepped into the box and drove the first pitch he saw through the left side of the infield to score Martin for the go ahead run. In the bottom half of the inning, Rohrbach entered the game once again to close the door on the Mules, tossing another 1-2-3 inning with another strikeout. Witkowski picked up the win in relief as Rohrbach earned his second save of the day and season.

The Crusaders are back in action Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. when they take on Martin Luther College.

Game One - Alvernia 4, Muhlenberg 2
Game Two - Alvernia 4, Muhlenberg 3 (8 innings)