BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Mar. 20, 2014) - Senior Chris Gehris (Sinking Spring, Pa./Holy Name) launched a 3-run home run to centerfield in the home half of the eighth to pull Alvernia University (9-3) within a run, but #4 Kean University (13-2) got a 4-out save to close out a 12-11 win Thursday afternoon in non-conference baseball action at Angelica Park.

The Cougars manufactured a pair of runs in the first inning to take an early lead, but the Crusaders responded with their first of two 5-run innings on the day.  Alvernia drew four walks in the inning off Kean starter Matt Mantione and junior Rory Clemens (Harleysville, Pa./Lansdale Catholic) delivered a 2-run single that put the Crusaders up 5-2 after the first inning.

Neither team scored in the second or third innings and the Cougars put up four in the fourth for a 6-5 lead aided by a hit batter and a pair of walks.  Third baseman delivered the big blow of the inning and downstream, linedrive home run to left.

Kean put two more runs on the board in the fifth for an 8-5 lead, and Alvernia got one back in the fifth when Dustin Arnold (Annville, Pa./Lebanon Catholic) singled in Ben Sawyer (Matawan, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy).

Kean put together two more 2-run innings plating a pair in the seventh and two more in the eighth for a 12-6 lead.  In the home half of the eighth, Kean reliever Nick Zucchero struggled to find the plate walking three straight batters with one out.  He went to a full count on Alvernia shortstop Richie Ricciardi (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) before giving up an RBI-groundout.  Matt Patterson (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham) followed with an RBI-single to left and Gehris brought Alvernia to within one on the first homer of the seaosn for the Crusaders.

Vinny Zanfordino entered to get a fly ball from Sawyer to end the eighth then set the Crusaders down in order in the ninth.

Zach Nadolny (Sparks, Md./Bel Air) took the loss allowing six runs over three and two-thirds innings.  Gehris had the only multi-hit game of the day for the Crusaders going 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs.

Alvernia returns to the conference schedule this weekend at Messiah on Friday.

#4 Kean 12, Alvernia 11