BOX SCORE 1 | BOX SCORE 2

Reading, Pa. (Apr. 28, 2012) - Alvernia University (28-10-1, 16-2) scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh inning for a walk-off win in game one then freshman Steve Price (Barto, Pa./Boyertown) limited Widener University (20-19, 7-11) to one run in a complete-game win as the Crusaders swept the Pride by scores of 5-4 and 5-1 Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference baseball action at Angelica Park.

Alvernia got a two-run double from Matt O'Neill (West Chester, Pa./Henderson) in the home half of the fourth inning to tie the game at 3-all, but Widener went back ahead on a sacrifice fly off starter Aaron Benusis (Bristol, Pa./Bristol) in the fifth.

Benusis went six full giving up four runs on seven hits with six strikeouts.  He turned the ball over to Rich Collins (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) who earned the win after throwing a scoreless seventh.

Brian Witkowski (Ewing, N.J./Notre Dame) doubled to lead off the seventh and scored when Nole Saylor (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) laid down a sacrifice bunt that the Pride threw away.  Rory Clemens (Harleysville, Pa./Lansdale Catholic) reached on an infield single that moved Saylor to third and after a walk to Chris Gehris (Sinking Spring, Pa./Holy Name) to load the bases, Saylor scored on a grounder to third by Matt Patterson (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham).

The Crusaders scored five runs over the first three innings of game two and it was more than enough for Price who limited the Pride to a run on five hits with five strikeouts.  Saylor had a pair of RBI-doubles in game two for the hosts.

Alvernia is the top seed in the Commonwealth Championships which begin Thursday at Owls Field in West Lawn.  The Crusaders will play #4 Messiah College in the opener of the four-team, double-elimination tournament.  #2 Lebanon Valley and #3 Elizabethtown will square off in the other game.

Alvernia 5, Widener 4 (Game One)
Alvernia 5, Widener 1 (Game Two)