Reading, Pa. (Mar. 30, 2015) - Alvernia University (8-6, 2-2) plated seven runs in two innings en route to a 13-9 game two victory over Widener University (8-2, 3-1) Tuesday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference action at Angelica Park.
Trailing 9-4 entering the bottom of the fifth, the Crusaders began to chip away at Widener's lead from the first batter.
Amanda Turner jump started the Crusader offense, ripping a double to right center to give Alvernia its first runner.
Bernadette Carey, who pinch ran for Turner, moved up to third on a single by
Shannon Grim and came around to score on a single to left by
Mckenzie Miessau to shorten the Pride lead 9-5.
Taylor Malinish followed suit, this time going to right field to plate Grim and advance Miessau to third. Miessau would come around to score on a
Brianna Kuhn sacrifice fly to deep right field to close the gap 9-7.
Widener was able to put two on in the top of the seventh, but was unable to convert a run.
Alvernia picked up where it left off though, as
Aly Shilling led off the inning with a walk to bring the tying run to the plate. Turner capitalized on the opportunity, using a right side triple to bring Shilling around and put the Crusaders tying run on third. Two pitches later, Grim struck again, this time with a double to left to square the game 9-9 and put herself on second as the go ahead run. Grim put Alvernia in an even better position moments later, advancing to third on a passed ball.
After a
Taylor Thomas walk, the Pride used a pitching change and an intentional walk to load the bases for Alvernia. The Crusaders kept their bats hot as Malinish and Kuhn combined for back-to-back doubles to plate four runs and take the 13-9 advantage for the win.
The Crusaders opened game two with an early lead, taking a 4-0 advantage in the bottom of the first.
Brianna DePriest generated offense early, launching a solo shot to left field to open the game. A single by Shilling between walks by
Stephanie Mancuso and Grim loaded the bases for Alvernia, who would plate three on a groundout single by Thomas and a two-RBI double by Miessau.
The Pride put up five runs in the second and two runs in the third to pull ahead 7-4. Widener picked up its last two runs on the day in the top of the fifth, just before Alvernia began its comeback march.
Taylor Fouracre picked up the win in the circle for the Crusaders, allowing six hits in 3.1 innings of work. Fouracre extends her record to 5-3 on the season.
In game one, Widener capitalized on Crusader errors to take an 4-0 lead in the top of the first. Alvernia answered in the bottom half of the inning, cutting down the deficit 4-1. DePriest started things off with a double, and advanced to third on the sacrifice by Mancuso. DePriest gave Alvernia its first run on a single by Shilling, however the Pride would hold the Crusaders from scoring again until the fifth.
Widener added some insurance to its lead in the top of the fifth, going ahead 5-1. Alvernia responded in the bottom half, coming within two. With two outs, Shilling and Turner put together back-to-back hits to give Crusaders runners on the corner. Grim followed with a hard hit ball to short, and Shilling scored as Turner forced an error by the Pride. Alvernia posted another run off an RBI single by Turner, cutting Widener's lead 5-3. However, Alvernia was unable to get any closer.
Alvernia returns to action tomorrow, taking on non-conference opponent Franklin and Marshall at Angelica Park. First pitch is set for 3:30.
