Frederick, Md. (Apr. 3, 2015) - Alvernia University (9-7, 3-3) secured a ninth-inning 6-2 game one victory before falling to Hood College 5-3 in game two Thursday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference play at Hood College.

Alvernia put runs on the board first in game one, going ahead 2-0 in the third. With Taylor Malinish starting the inning with a walk, Brianna Kuhn moved her into scoring position. Malinish would advance to third on wild pitch, and the Crusaders added another runner in scoring position when a ground ball to third from Stephanie Mancuso moved Brianna DePriest up to second after she walked. Aly Shilling delivered the RBI single, plating Malinish and DePriest for the lead.

Hood chipped away the the Crusader lead, putting up a run in the bottom of the fourth and fifth to tie things 2-2.

Alvernia reclaimed the lead in the top of the sixth, crossing one. Amanda Turner opened the inning with a single, and pinch runner Shannon Grodzicki stole second a pitch later. Grodzicki would advance to third on a wild pitch, and a Shannon Grim walk led to runners are second and third. Mckenzie Miessau came up with the RBI for the Crusaders, using an infield fielder's choice to push across Grodzicki for the 3-2 advantage.

The Blazers answered in the bottom of the inning, collecting two runs and the 4-3 lead.

The Crusaders responded though, tying the game in the top of the seventh. Kuhn led things off for Alvernia, reaching on an error by Hood. DePriest followed Kuhn with a single, and another single by Shilling loaded the bases. Turner was then able to drive the ball to the right side, crossing DePriest for the 4-4 lock.

Hood threatened to score in both the 7th and 8th innings, but Shilling turned double plays in both innings to keep the Crusaders hopes alive.

Alvernia broke the tie in the top of the seventh as DePriest launched her first homerun of the day over the left field fence to go ahead 5-4. The Crusaders tacked on an insurance run later in the inning as Grim delivered an RBI fielder's choice hit to score Mancuso for the 6-4 margin.

Brianna Fisher picked up the win in the circle, allowing two hits in three innings of work. Taylor Fouracre had the start for the Crusaders, giving up two earned runs in six innings.

In game two, DePriest started where she left off, opening the game with her second solo shot of the day to put Alvernia up 1-0. Hood kept Alvernia's lead short-lived, crossing one in the first and two in the second for the 3-1 advantage.

Alvernia closed the gap to one in the fourth as Shilling scored on a single up the middle by Taylor Thomas.

Ahead 3-2, Hood extended its lead over the next two innings, picking up a run in each to take the 5-2 margin going into the seventh.

The Crusaders added one more run on the day as DePriest went yard for the third time in the top of the seventh.

Alvernia continues conference play next week, traveling to Stevenson on Thursday.