BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Apr. 10, 2014) - Alvernia University (18-6) pounded out 17 hits in a 14-11 win over Johns Hopkins University (14-8) Thursday afternoon in non-conference baseball action at Angelica Park.

Playing their second game against a Centennial Conference opponent in as many days, the Crusaders had more than 15 hits in consecutive games and scored double digit runs.  They pounded out 16 hits in a 15-5 win over Haverford on Wednesday.

The hitting star Thursday was junior shortstop Richie Ricciardi (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) who went 5-for-6 with three runs and a pair of RBIs.  He nearly beat out an infield grounder in his final at-bat that would have tied him for the team record for hits in a game.  Four other players had two hits in the game including Matt Patterson (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham) who went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBIs.

After giving up a solo run in the top of the first, Alvernia took a 3-1 lead with three runs in the home half of the first.  Hopkins answered with four runs in the second off Alvernia starter Zach Nadolny (Sparks, Md./Bel Air), but the Crusaders posted their second straight 3-run inning to take a 6-5 lead after two.

Alvernia did the trick again in the sixth and seventh posting three runs in each inning to take a 14-9 lead.  Hopkins brought the potential tying run to the plate in the top of the ninth, but Kevin Becker-Menditto (Frederick, Md./Walkersville) was able to end the game striking out a pinch-hitter.

The Crusaders return to conference action on Friday when they travel to Lebanon Valley College to open a 3-game series with the Dutchmen.

Alvernia 14, Johns Hopkins 11