BOX SCORE 1 | BOX SCORE 2

Reading, Pa. (Mar. 24, 2012) - Sophomore Matt Patterson (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham) stroked a bases-clearing, walk-off double in the seventh inning of game one and sophomore starter Aaron Benusis (Bristol, Conn./Bristol Eastern) took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of game two as Alvernia University (12-6-1, 5-1) won 7-6 and 2-1 to finish the sweep of a 3-game series with conference foe Messiah College (5-14, 1-5) Saturday afternoon at Angelica Park.

The Falcons scored three times in the top of the first inning in game one and chaced Alvernia starter Mike Weinhold (Robesonia, Pa./Conrad Weiser) after two more singles in the second.  The Messiah lead reached 5-0 in the third when the Crusaders commited three errors leading to a pair of runs.

Alvernia drew five walks in the fourth and had a pair of singles to plate four runs and close the gap to 5-4.  An inning later two more walks and a hit batter loaded the bases with two out, but designated hitter Chris Ray (Exton, Pa./Henderson) lined out to short to end the inning.

Messiah scored an insurance run in the top of the seventh then with one out the Crusaders went back to work. Rory Clemens (Harleysville, Pa./Lansdale Catholic) singled as did Brian Witkowski (Ewing, N.J./Notre Dame) and a wild pitch moved the two up to second and third.  The Falcons decided to put Ray on intentionally with the base open--Messiah pitching walked 11 in less than seven innings--and Patterson clubbed a double to center just three days after hitting a walk-off homer to beat Rowan.

Benusis walked the leadoff batter in game two then retired 10 straight.  He walked one and hit another in the fourth, but got out of trouble and retired the side in the fifth. 

Alvernia scored single, unearned runs in the third and fourth for a 2-0 lead.

After a leadoff walk in the sixth and back-to-back flyouts, Benusis gave up consecutive singles and the Falcons plated their first run.  He left after a one-out walk in the seventh.

Freshman Kevin Becker-Menditto (Frederick Md./Walkersville), who earned the win in game one took over for Benusis with two outs to go to complete the sweep.  Junior catcher Matt O'Neill (West Chester, Pa./Henderson) caught the Falcons' baserunner trying to swipe second and a fly ball to left ended the game.

The Crusaders continue in a tough portion of their schedule facing Kean and TCNJ this week before a doubleheader with Manhattanville on Sunday.

Alvernia 7, Messiah 6 (Game One)
Alvernia 2, Messiah 1 (Game Two)