BOX SCORE

Lakewood, N.J. (May 16, 2012) - Third-seeded Alvernia University (31-12-1) scored eight runs in its final three at-bats and freshman Kevin Becker-Menditto (Frederick, Md./Walkersville) tied the season record with his ninth save--a six-out save--as the Crusaders earned an 8-3 win over #6 Haverford College (24-18) Wednesday evening at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Baseball Regional at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The Crusaders were held scoreless through the first five innings and sophomore starer Aaron Benusis (Bristol, Conn./Bristol Eastern) left after throwing four and two-thirds innings trailing 3-0.  Junior Brian Witkowski (Ewing, N.J./Notre Dame) tripled and scored on a Matt Patterson (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham) ground-out in the sixth, and Richie Ricciardi (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) reached on an error later in the frame and came in on an Aaron Carman (Robesonia, Pa./Conrad Weiser) two-out single to cut the gap to 3-2.

Junior Rich Collins (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest), who entered for Benusis in the fifth and got out of a two-on jam, retired Haverford in order in both the sixth and the seventh and earned the win.

Cody Younker (Leesport, Pa./Schuylkill Valley) singled with one out in the seventh and moved up to second when Witkowski walked.  Nole Saylor (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) popped out to short for the second out of the inning and Patterson hit a single to left that drove in Younker then Witkowski scored on a throwing error by the left fielder to give Alvernia a 4-3 lead through seven.

Becker-Menditto entered for the eighth and retired Haverford on a groundout and back-to-back strikeouts.  It was 10 straight retired by the Alvernia pen.  Then the offense provided some insurance for Becker-Menditto to close out the save.

Younker singled to drive in the fist run of the eighth then Witkowski walked again to load the bases for Saylor who cleared them on a triple to the gap in left center.

Haverford loaded the bases in the top of the ninth, but couldn't push a run across against Becker-Menditto who closed the game with his fourth strikeout of the night.

The Crusaders advance in the winners bracket of the double-elimination regional and will face the winner of the game between #2 Kean and #7 Drew at 7:45 Thursday evening.

#3 Alvernia 8, #6 Haverford 3