York, Pa. (April 30, 2015) - Top-seeded Alvernia University (29-11) defeated Widener University (20-17) 4-2 in the opening game of the Commonwealth Conference Baseball Championship after a over three-hour rain delay at Santander Stadium on Thursday night.
 
Widener put a run on the board in the top of the first.  Michael Rytelewski drew a 4-pitch walk to open the game and came around to score on a 1-out triple off the bat of sophomore Greg McDonough.
 
The Crusaders wasted little time taking back the lead striking for two runs in the bottom of the first. Senior Richie Ricciardi singled through the right side and conference player of the year Ben Sawyer launched a two-run home run off the tents beyond the right field wall.
 
Starting pitcher Ryan Sheekey allowed one earned run in 3.2 innings, leaving during the two and a half hour rain delay that interrupted the fourth inning. Louis Marotta relieved Sheekey and received the win after pitching 4.1 innings allowing just a pair of hits with four strikeouts.
 
Ricciardi made a great diving stop to get the Crusaders out of a jam at the bottom of the eighth inning.  With the potential tying run at second, Rytelewski hit a sharp grounder up the middle.  Ricciardi dove to his left and popped up to get Rytelewski by a step.
 
The Crusaders pushed across a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth on four hits for a 4-1 lead.  Cameron Coons drive in a run with a sacrifice fly to left and Brok Martin drove in a run with a single to center.
 
That set the table for closer Kevin Becker-Menditto to come in and add to his record setting save total. McDonough started the inning with a slow chopper back to the mound that Becker-Menditto threw wild to first.  After a stolen base and an infield single, Justin Healey reached on a fielder's choice and McDonough scored on a wild throw from Ricciardi.
 
The Pride put the tying run on base with a pinch-hit single by John Petrongolo, but Becker-Menditto closed the door on a ground ball to third picking up his 14th save of the season and 45th for his career pulling within one of Division III career mark.
 
The Crusaders advance to the winners bracket final and will face the winner of the Stevenson / Messiah game on Friday at 3:00 p.m.