BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Mar. 18, 2014) - Alvernia University (9-2, 3-0) scored five runs in the home half of the fourth to regain a 9-7 lead en route to a 10-7 win over Stevenson University (4-4, 0-3) Tuesday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference baseball action at Angelica Park.

Stevenson scored six runs on five hits and three costly Alvernia errors in the top half of the fourth to take a 7-4 lead and chasing Alvernia starter Aaron Benusis (Bristol, Conn./Bristol Eastern).  Freshman lefty Ryan Sheekey (Scotch Plains, N.J./Roselle Catholic) entered in relief of Benusis and did a fabulous job earning his second career win going the final six innings and surrendering just one run on three hits with seven strikeouts.

The Crusaders wasted little time getting the lead back in the bottom of the fourth.  Dustin Arnold () was hit by a pitch, Dustin Stuck (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra) slapped a single to left center, and Mike Weinhold (Robesonia, Pa./Conrad Weiser) dropped down a bunt single to load the bases with no one out.  Santino Alteri (Watertown, N.Y./Immaculate Heart Central) pulled a single down the right field line plating two and pulling the Crusaders within a run, 7-6.

A passed ball moved runners up to second and third and Richie Ricciardi (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) lifted a sacrifice fly to center to tie the score at 7-all.  Matt Patterson (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham) then ripped a line drive triple to the fence in left scoring Alteri and Chris Gehris (Sinking Spring, Pa./Holy Name) hit a sac fly to score Patterson giving Alvernia a 9-7 lead.

Sheekey cruised through the middle innings setting down eight straight Mustangs before a two-out single in the seventh.  He retired the next batter on a fly ball to right and struck out the side in the eighth while giving up a one-out walk.

Sheekey came back out for the ninth and closed the door with a fly out, ground out, and strikeout to end the game.

Patterson led the offense with three hits in five at-bats with two runs scored and three RBIs.  Three other players had two hits apiece.

Alvernia starts off the conference schedule with a 3-game sweep of the Mustangs and is scheduled to face Kean University on Wednesday.  It returns to the conference schedule this Saturday when it hosts Messiah College for a doubleheader.

Alvernia 10, Stevenson 7