BOX SCORE

Elizabethtown, Pa. (Apr. 5, 2013) - Senior designated hitter Billy Turner (Columbia, N.J./North Warren Regional) saved the day with a go-ahead, ninth inning homer and sophomore Kevin Becker-Menditto (Frederick, Md./Walkersville) notched his fifth save of the season as Alvernia University (16-8, 7-3) started a 3-game Commonwealth Conference baseball series with a 4-2 win at Elizabethtown College (11-14, 5-5) Friday afternoon at Elizabethtown.

Etown scored a run in the eighth to take a 2-1 lead.  Two-time conference player of the year Chris Ray (Exton, Pa./Henderson) led off the ninth with an infield single, and Turner hit the first pitch of his at-bat off Etown starter Matt Ruth out to right for a quick 3-2 lead.  Matt Patterson (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham) welcomed Etown reliever Jake Hoffstein with a double to the gap in right, and Chris Gehris (Sinking Spring, Pa./Holy Name) delivered a clutch two-out single to drive in the insurance run.

Alvernia freshman Louis Marotta (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan), who got the last out in the eighth, set down the first batter in the ninth then turned the ball over to Becker-Menditto for a two-out save.

Etown opened the scoring in the third when Kyle Gable got the green light on a 3-0 count and delivered a run-scoring single through the right side.  Alvernia tied it up at 1-1 in the fifth aided by a pair of Etown errors. Richie Ricciardi (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) doubled and moved up when Gehris reached on an error.  Gehris swiped second and Ricciardi came home on a throwing error by the Etown catcher.

Etown took the 2-1 lead in the eighth with a single, a sacrifice bunt, a groundout, and a single.

Seven different players had a hit apiece for the Crusaders.  Etown designated hitter Sean Jones was the only one with a multi-hit game.  He went 2-for-4.

Both teams face off in a doubleheader on Saturday at Angelica Park.

Alvernia 4, Etown 2