Orlando, Fl. (Mar. 5, 2012) - The Crusaders (2-0) opened their season with two wins over PSU-Hazelton (0-2) this morning at the Disney Spring Training Tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. Sophomore Samantha Penk (Lincroft, NJ/ Middletown South) was 4-for-4 with three RBIs in the first game, and junior Deanna Dungee threw a five-inning, one-hit shutout in game two.

Alvernia surrendered an early run to the Nittany Lions, allowing one run across in the top of the first inning, before answering with three of their own in the bottom of the first. The Crusaders batted all the way around and took advantage of RBI hits from Penk, freshman Shannon Grim (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) and starting pitcher Danielle Kitchen (Saylorsburg, Pa./Pleasant Valley). PSU-Hazelton managed to tie the game at three with two runs in the top of the fifth inning off of three singles and a walk. The Crusaders put the game away with three runs, for the 6-3 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning thanks to a two-RBI triple from Penk and another RBI single from Grim.

In the second game of the day Dungee was dominate, striking out seven, allowing just one hit and shutting out the Nittany Lions through five innings. Dungee was also impressive at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs, including the game-ender. The Crusaders put up a run in the first, three in the second, two in the third and two more in the bottom of the fifth to end the game due to the eight run rule.

Penk was 5-for-7 on the day with two triples, a double and four RBIs, junior Miranda Peto (Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville), Grim and Kitchen all had three hits while Peto added three runs scored and two RBIs, and Grim had three RBIs.

Alvernia is back in action tomorrow with games against Cedar Crest College at 9am and 11am.

Alvernia 6, PSU-Hazelton 3
Alvernia 8, PSU-Hazelton 0 (5 innings)