Glenside, Pa. (Apr. 25, 2015) - The Crusaders locked in a spot in the Commonwealth Conference tournament as Alvernia University (16-15, 7-9) split with Arcadia University (16-22, 5-11) in Commonwealth Conference action Saturday afternoon at Arcadia.

Alvernia captured game one 4-2 before falling in game to 5-4.

In the opener, the Crusaders got on the board in the first, capitalizing on a Knights miscue. After Aly Shilling reached on a fielding error, Shannon Grim made the most of the opportunity, roping a double to the fence to plate Shilling for the 1-0 go ahead.

Alvernia added a second run to its name in the third as Taylor Malinish gave the Crusaders a runner on with two outs. Shilling did the job at the plate this time, bringing around Malinish on a double to left.

The Crusaders added insurance in the sixth, crossing two. Malinish got things going for the Crusaders again, starting the inning by reaching after being hit by a pitch. Shilling advanced Malinish to second, and Grim singled to the pitcher to move Malinish up to third. Felicia McKenna delivered the RBI swing for Alvernia, plating both Malinish and Grim on a shot to left for the 4-0 advantage.

Arcadia posted two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but were unable to catch Alvernia.

Taylor Fouracre collected the win on the mound, allowing just four hits in seven innings of work.

In the nightcap, Arcadia scored first, using back to back doubles to take the 2-0 lead.

The Crusaders responded in the third, taking the lead in the top of the inning. With one out, Brianna DePriest ripped a triple to give the Crusaders a runner in scoring position. Shilling struck again, picking up an RBI on a single to left to cut the lead 2-1. Grim continued to be hot the plate, launching a two run shot to center to give Alvernia the 3-2 go ahead.

Arcadia answered in the bottom half of the inning, tying things 3-3.

The Knights regained the lead in the fifth, going ahead 5-3.

The Crusaders tacked on another run in the sixth as Grim went yard again to cut the gap 5-4.

Alvernia was able to put another runner on the seventh, but were unable to convert the run.

With the game one win, Alvernia advances into the Commonwealth Conference tournament as the #5-seed. The Crusaders will take on #4 Lebanon Valley College on Friday, May 1st at 10:00 am.