BOX SCORE BOX SCORE

Baltimore, Md. (Feb. 27, 2012) - In last season's Mid-Atlantic Regional opener Alvernia University earned a walk-off win on a wild pitch.  Monday, in slightly less dramatic fashion, the Crusaders (1-1-1) scored the tying run in the ninth on a wild pitch then setteled for a 7-7 tie with the Blue Jays (0-0-1) in the season opener for the hosts.

Alvernia sophomore Mike Weinhold (Robesonia, Pa./Conrad Weiser) held the Jays off the board over the first five innings while Hopkins senior and defending Centennial Pitcher of the Year Alex Eliopolus surreneded just one unearned run over the same stretch.  Both pitchers left with one out in their respective halves of the sixth.  Alvernia tacked on a pair of runs against Eliopolus for a 3-0 lead, but Hopkins answered with three after Weinhold left giving both starters a no-decision.

Alvernia junior Chris Ray (Exton, Pa./Henderson) scored on a wild pitch in the seventh to put the Crusaders up 4-3, but Hopkins scored four in the bottom of the seventh--capped by Mike Kanen's three-run homer--for a 7-4 lead.

Alvernia senior Aaron Carmen (Robesonia, Pa./Conrad Weiser) doubled to lead off the eighth and scored later on a wild pitch to pull within two then in the ninth junior Brian Witkowski (Ewing, N.J./Notre Dame) led off with a double and after Ray reached on a error, the two were moved to second and third with a sacrifice bunt.  Travis Wrambel (Newtown Square, Pa./Marple Newtown) drew a two-out walk to load the bases and Carmen forced in a run drawing a walk of his own.  The Crusaders were given nine free passes by Blue Jay pitching.

Ray then scored when the first pitch to Kevin Bailey (Fallston, Md./Fallston) skipped past the catcher.

Hopkins went in order in the ninth and the umpires decided not to start the 10th.

Alvernia takes its 1-1-1 record to Florida for spring break starting the week with a doubleheader Sunday against Freedom Conference preseason favorite Misericordia.

Johns Hopkins 7, #10 Alvernia 7