BOX SCORE 1 | BOX SCORE 2

Center Valley, Pa. (April 10, 2014) - Alvernia University (13-9) plated 20 runs in two games in a split series against Desales University (9-8). The Crusaders fell short in game one, dropping the opener 12-10, before taking game two 10-6.

In game one, Desales came out aggressive and posted 8 runs in the first two innings. The Crusaders fought back though, using the rest of the game to chip away at the Bulldogs.

In the top of the third, Amanda Galanti (Red Bank, NJ / Marine Acad. Of Sci/Tech) started the offense with a one out single to the right side. Taylor Faust (Kutztown, Pa. / Kutztown Area) followed with a hit of her own, giving the Crusaders runners on second and third. Aly Shilling (Blue Bell, Pa. / Christopher Dock) then used a hard ground ball to the right side to force a Bulldog error, plating both runners. Alvernia took advantage of the error again as Amanda Turner (New Hyde Park, NY / New Hyde Park) doubled to right center, bringing Shilling around to score to cut Desales lead to 8-3.

Desales would use three hits in the bottom of the inning to increase its lead 9-3, but Alvernia went back at it in the fourth. Brianna DePriest (Bechtelsville, Pa. / Boyertown Area) worked a leadoff walk to give the Crusaders the base runner they needed. Samantha Penk (Lincroft, NJ / Middletown South) and Brianna Kuhn (Elizabethtown, Pa. / Elizabethtown) both executed sacrifice hits to move DePriest, who would score on a single by Faust. Faust and Galanti, who reached by walk, also came around to score on a passed ball and throwing error by Desales, ending the inning down 9-6.

The Crusaders tacked on another run in the fifth when pinch runner Katy Lutz (Lebanon, Pa. / Cedar Crest) scored on an RBI by DePriest.

Alvernia then plated two runs in the sixth, catching up to the Bulldogs. After Galanti and Faust both reached to start the inning, the Crusaders took advantage of another Desales error, scoring Galanti and moving Faust to third on a wild pitch. Faust would come around to score on an RBI single by Taylor Thomas (Williamstown, NJ / Gloucester County Institute of Tech), tying the game 9-9.

The Bulldogs added three runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth, extending their lead back to 12-9.

The Crusaders were able to get one back in the seventh on an RBI single by Galanti, but were unable to convert any additional runs.

In game two, Desales scored first again, going ahead 2-0 in the bottom of the first. Alvernia quickly answered, tying things up 2-2 in the top of the second. After starting the inning with a single to right, Turner moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt by Thomas. Turner scored on an RBI single by DePriest, who then scored on an RBI single by Penk.
In the third, Alvernia added three more runs to take a 5-2 lead. Three consecutive singles by Shilling, Turner, and Thomas gave Alvernia two of the runs, with the third coming by way of a passed ball.

Desales attempted to come back though, putting up a run in the third and two in the fourth to tie up the game 5-5.

The Crusaders pulled ahead again in the sixth, going up 6-5 on a solo homerun by Penk.

Alvernia would further extend its lead in the seventh, putting up four more runs. With one out and a runner on first, back to back hits by Turner and Thomas gave the Crusaders their seventh run of the game. Felicia McKenna (Williamstown, NJ / Williamstown) then reached on a fielder's choice, plating another run. DePriest then lifted the Crusaders out of reach with a single up the middle, putting Alvernia up 10-5.

Desales scored another run in the bottom of the seventh, however the Crusaders was able to close out the inning.

Brittanie Wolfe (Pine Grove, Pa. / Pine Grove Area) went the distance for the Crusaders, pitching 11 of 13 innings. She picked up both the loss in the game one and the win in game two in the circle, improving her record to 7-7.

Alvernia takes the field again on Saturday, traveling to Commonwealth Conference rival Hood for a 1:00 pm doubleheader.