BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Mar. 22, 2013) - Senior centerfielder Leon Stimpson (Philadelphia, Pa./Malvern Prep) homered twice, the second a 2-run shot in the bottom of the ninth, but the Alvernia University (9-6, 2-2) comeback attempt fell a run short in a 7-6 loss to Messiah College (4-8, 1-1) Friday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference baseball action at Angelica Park.

Stimpson hit a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first to tie the game then homered to left center with a man on on the ninth.  Alvernia put the tying run on base with one out, but Messiah's Adam Marshall induced a 4-6-3 double play to end the game and wrap up his first save of the season.

Alvernia starter Aaron Benusis (Bristol, Conn./Bristol Eastern) went five innings and allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits with six strikeouts, and left facing a 6-4 deficit.  Messiah tacked on a much-needed insurance run in the eighth against Alvernia reliever Rich Collins (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest).

Messiah took a 1-0 lead in the first scoring without a hit.  Zach Brubaker reached on an error and took second when Casey Ebersole's sacrifice bunt attempt wasn't fielded cleanly.  The Falcons executed a one-out double steal and Brubaker scored on a foul out to first when Matt Patterson (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham) couldn't cut down the runner on a spinning throw from near the tarp down the right field line.

Alvernia tied the score on Stimpson's first homer and took the 2-1 lead in the first when Brian Witkowski (Ewing, N.J./Notre Dame) scored on a wild pitch.

Messiah took a 4-2 lead in the third scoring three runs on four hits.  Brubaker homered down the left field line, and with runners on second and third, Derek Drake served an 0-2 pitch to center scoring two.

Both teams scored two runs in the fifth.

Messiah ace Jon Lapp went seven innings allowing four runs on seven hits with five strikeouts to earn his first win of the season.

Both teams continue the 3-game series Saturday at Messiah.

Messiah 7, Alvernia 6