BOX SCORE
Grantham, Pa. (May 5, 2012) - Third seeded Alvernia (34-9) defeated fourth seed Elizabethtown (24-19) by a score of 3-0 this morning to advance to the Commonwealth Conference Championship round against Messiah.  The Blue Jays earned the right to play Alvernia after defeating second seeded Lebanon Valley 6-0 early this morning.  With the win, the Crusaders must now take two from Messiah to be declared conference champions as the Falcons come into the championship round undefeated.

In a game that was knotted at 0-0 through four complete innings, it was Alvernia who struck first with a lone run in the bottom of the fifth inning.  Miranda Peto (Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville) got things started with a one-out single through the left side and Samantha Penk (Lincroft, NJ/Middletown South) followed with a single of her own to put two runners on with one out.  Freshman Shannon Grim (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) earned a walk to load the bases and Danielle Kitchen (Saylorsburg, Pa./Pleasant Valley) was hit by a pitch to score a run.  The Blue Jays managed to escape further damage with a fielder's choice to get Penk at the plate, and a sharp line-out to the pitcher.

Taking their slim 1-0 lead into the top of the sixth things got a little shakey for Alvernia as conference player of the year Elly McCarthy drove a double to the fence with one out, and a single followed to put runners on the corners.  With a pinch-runner brought into run at first base, Crusader pitcher Brittanie Wolfe (Pine Grove, Pa./Pine Grove) got just what she needed.  Kaylee Werner hit the ball on the nose, but right at shortstop Katie Manowski (Grasonville, Md./Kent Island) who snared it, and easily doubled off the Blue Jay runner at first to escape the inning.

Alvernia managed some much needed insurance runs in their half of the sixth.  Amanda Galanti (Red Bank, NJ/Marine Acad. of Sci./Tech.) got things started with a single, before she was erased by a fielder's choice from Jacklyn Torres (Colonia, NJ/Colonia).  After a flyout, Peto connected for a single to right field to advance Torres to third.  Peto promptly stole second, putting runners at second and third for Penk.  Penk battled, but quickly found herself down 0-2 in the count, hanging tight she managed to drive a change-up to the fence in left center for a two-RBI double to give Alvernia the 3-0 lead.

Wolfe wrapped things up in the seventh inning, shutting down the Blue Jays, despite allowing two singles to earn her 20th win of the season.

Penk and Peto, batting 1-2 in the order were both 3-for-4 against Elizabethtown.  The Crusaders turn right around to face undefeated Messiah in the championship round.

Alvernia 3, Elizabethtown 0