BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Apr. 19, 2013) - Alvernia University (24-9, 13-3) hit back-to-back-to-back home runs in a 6-run fifth inning and four in the game in a 20-3 win over Albright College (12-17, 3-13) Friday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference baseball action at Albright's Kelchner Field.

Leon Stimpson (Phildelphia, Pa./Malvern Prep) opened the game with a walk and a stolen base and senior Chris Ray (Exton, Pa./West Chester Henderson) launched the first home run of the game and his first since he hit two in his freshman year.  The Crusaders sent 10 batters to the plate in the opening frame and went ahead 4-0.

The guests were up 8-3 entering the fifth and batted around for the second time in the game.  Matt Patterson (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham) tripled in a run and scored on a wild pitch for an 11-3 lead.  Chris Gehris (Sinking Spring, Pa./Holy Name) lined out for the second out of the inning then the power display started.  Richie Ricciardi (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) hit his first career homer then Kevin Bailey (Fallston, Md./Fallston) followed with his first of the season, and Cody Younker (Leesport, Pa./Schuylkill Valley) made it three straight two-out homers for the Crusaders.

The offense was just as potent the following inning scoring six more runs on five hits for a 20-3 lead.  Albright went in order in the home half of the sixth inning and the game was called as the rains came down.

Junior starter Aaron Benusis (Bristol, Conn./Bristol Eastern) went the distance for the win giving up just three runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts.

Despite the shortened game, the Crusaders reached double figures in runs for the seventh time this season and scored 20 runs for the first time since doing it three times during the 2010 season.  Its the fifth time this season the Crusaders have hit more than one home run in a game and the most since homering four times against Misericordia on April 27, 2010.  The team mark is six short of the team record of 10 home runs the team hit in a 36-15 win over Wilmington College on April 16, 2002.

Alvernia and Albright will continue the 3-game series with a doubleheader at Angelica Park on Saturday.

Alvernia 20, Albright 3