BOX SCORE 1 | BOX SCORE 2

Clermont, Fl. (March 12, 2014) – Alvernia University (4-2) completed day three at the National Training Center with a split day.  The Crusaders took the 9-0 win in five innings over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the first game before dropping a 2-0 decision to Rhode Island College.

In the opener, the Crusaders posted their first two runs of the game through the first four batters. Senior Amanda Galanti (Red Bank, N.J./Marine Acad. Of Sci/Tech) ripped a triple in the number two spot to plate leadoff batter Samantha Penk (Lincroft, N.J/Middletown South), who reached on a walk. Galanti was then able to score on a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Amanda Turner (New Hyde Park, N.Y/New Hyde Park Memorial).

Alvernia followed with five more runs in the second innings. With one out, after sophomore Rachel Fritz (Kenhorst, Pa. / Governor Mifflin) reached on an error and junior Brianna Kuhn (Elizabethtown, Pa. / Elizabethtown) followed up with a single, senior Katie Manowski (Grasonville, Md. / Kent Island),  drove a triple to left to score both runners. Penk then roped a single to plate Manowski, and Galanti followed with a walk. Penk and Galanti both came around to score on a passed ball.

The Crusaders tacked on two more runs in the third, setting up the eight-run mercy rule in the fifth.

Junior Brittanie Wolfe (Pine Grove, Pa./Pine Grove Area) and freshman Alexa Banks (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy) split time on the mound in game one, giving up only a combined three hits.

In game two, Rhode Island College scored early after an extensive rain delay. With Rhode Island having runners on first and third with one out in the bottom of the first, the game was suspended due to rain, and did not resume until close to three hours later. Upon return to play, Rhode Island drew a walk to load the bases. While the Crusaders recorded the second out, the Anchormen capitalized on a base hit and an Alvernia error to plate two runs, which would be enough for the win.

The Crusaders put seven runners on base throughout the game, yet none were able to advance further than second.
Alvernia will finish their run in Clermont tomorrow, facing Ithaca College at 9am and The Sage Colleges at 11am.