Reading, Pa. (Apr. 16, 2015) - Alvernia University (13-11, 5-7) lost a pair of games to Messiah College (24-7, 10-0), falling 5-2 and 10-3 in Commonwealth Conference action Thursday at Angelica Park.
In the opener, the Crusaders pulled ahead in the fifth, taking the 2-0 advantage.
Brianna DePriest gave Alvernia a runner on with one out, and advanced to second on a fielder's choice off the bat of
Felicia McKenna.
Shannon Grim ripped a clutch RBI triple to right to plate DePriest, and crossed herself on an Falcon's overthrow.
Messiah responded in the top of the sixth, tying things 2-2. After shutting down Alvernia in the bottom of the sixth, the Falcons made the most of a Crusader error to push three more runs across for the 5-2 lead.
DePriest gave Alvernia a runner on the seventh, but they were unable to convert the run.
In the night cap, the Falcons hit the board early, putting up nine runs through the first three innings.
The Crusaders found an offensive stride in the fifth, plating three.
Taylor Malinish started things off with a single to right.
Brianna Kuhn gave Alvernia its second runner with a single to left, and
Bernadette Carey loaded the bases with a single of her own. DePriest then notched a double to score Malinish and Kuhn and McKenna grounded out to plate Carey to cut the margin 9-3.
Messiah would add another run in the seventh for the 10-3 win.
Alvernia returns to action on Saturday, hosting Albright in Commonwealth Conference action. Saturday will also be Senior Day for Alvernia.
