BOX SCORE

Annville, Pa. (Apr. 14, 2012) - Alvernia University (19-8-1, 8-2) scored five runs in the top of the ninth for a 5-4 lead, but Lebanon Valley (18-13, 7-6) answered with two in the bottom of the inning for a 6-5 win Friday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference baseball action at Lebanon Valley.

The Dutchmen did all their damange in the home half of the fifth off Alvernia starter Andrew Kirk (Media, Pa./Penncrest) scoring four runs on three hits with a pair of walks.

Alvernia entered the ninth down four.  Aaron Carmen (Robesonia, Pa./Conrad Weiser) started things with a one-out single.  AJ Bennett (Jackson, N.J./St. John Vianney) doubled and Brok Martin (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata) was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Nole Saylor (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) knocked in a run with a single then Brian Witkowski (Ewing, N.J./Notre Dame) tied the game with a triple to right.

Matt Paterson (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham) followed a pop-out with a double to put the Crusaders up 5-4.

Leb Val opened the bottom of the ninth with a single off Alvernia closer Kevin Becker-Menditto (Frederick, Md./Walkersville) and bunted the runner to second.  Derek Brousseau picked a good spot for his first hit of the game, a double to right-center tat tied the score then Jordan Witmer hit a walk-off single to right.

Becker-Menditto suffered his first loss of the season in his 12th appearance giving up his first earned runs of the year.

Both teams finish the three-game series with a doubleheader at Alvernia on Saturday starting at noon.

Lebanon Valley 6, Alvernia 5