BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Mar. 21, 2012) - Sophomore first baseman Matt Patterson (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham) launched the first pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning over the centerfield fence to give Alvernia University (10-6-1) an 8-7, walk-off win over #12 Rowan University (11-4) Wednesday afternoon in non-conference baseball action at Angelica Park.

The Crusaders staged a rally their long-time fans had become accustomed to posting a crooked number in the late innings to steal victory from certain defeat.  In the home half of the eighth facing a 7-1 deficit, the Crusaders sent 10 batters to the plate and scored six runs on just two hits to tie the score at 7-7 and set the stage for Patterson in the ninth.

Freshman Rory Clemens (Harleysville, Pa./Lansdale Catholic) cleared the bases with a two-out triple to pull the Crusaders within two at 7-5 and Chris Ray (Exton, Pa./Henderson) delivered a two-out single up the middle that scored Brian Witkowski (Ewing, N.J./Notre Dame) to tie the score.  Those were the only two base hits for the Crusaders in the six-run eighth.

Rowan pitching walked four batters and hit another in the inning.  All five came around to score.

Freshman Kevin Becker-Menditto (Frederick, Md./Walkersville) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth prior to Patterson's swing to earn the win.

In the early going the Profs were making the plays and taking advantage of the breaks jumping out to a 3-0 lead.  Rowan DH Nick Turano smoked an 0-2 pitch into the gap in left center with one on and two out in the first.  Either leftfielder Nole Saylor (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) or centerfielder Leon Stimpson (Philadelphia, Pa./Malvern Prep) could have made a nice running catch, but both pulled up and the ball fell between them.  C.J. Szymczak chased home Turano with a single up the middle for a 2-0 lead and Casey Grimes launched a solo homer to left for a 3-0 lead in the fourth.

Witkowski was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a wild pitch in the first and designated hitter Chris Gehris (Sinking Spring, Pa./Holy Name) was forced out at third on a shallow fly to left in the bottom of the fourth.  Junior catcher Kevin Bailey (Fallston, Md./Fallston), the current Commonwealth Conference Player of the Week, followed with an RBI single through the left side of the infield to put the Crusaders on the board.

The Profs doubled their total with three in the sixth, aided by an Alvernia error.  Then a tack-on run in the eighth, again aided by a misque from the hosts.

The Crusaders' eighth started innocently enough with a walk to Travis Wrambel (Newtown Square, Pa./Marple Newtown), then a one-out walk to Richie Riccardi (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan).  Matt O'Neill (West Chester, Pa./Henderson) was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

The first run came in on a passed ball, then Cody Younker (Leesport, Pa./Schuylkill Valley) walked to reload the bases.  Brok Martin (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata) forced a full count with one out, but struck out before Clemens tripled on a full-count pitch.  Witkowski walked to put runners at the corners and back-to-back balks sent Clemens home and Witkowski all the way around to third.  Ray delivered Witkowski with a single on a 1-1 pitch, and with just two hits the Crusaders had posted six runs.

The Profs went to the bullpen for the fourth time in the inning and Wrambel struck out to end the frame.

Rowan reliever Brian Rice, who retired Wramble to end the eighth, made just one pitch in the ninth and that was it.

The Crusaders look to keep the positive vibe going as they enter a three-game series with the Commonwealth defending champion Messiah College this Friday at Messiah.

Alvernia 8, #12 Rowan 7