BOX SCORE York, Pa. (May 13, 2015) – Senior closer
Kevin Becker-Menditto earned his Division III record-tying 46th save and second-seeded Alvernia University (33-12) topped #7 Catholic University (29-12) 3-2 Wednesday evening in game four of the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Baseball Regional at Santander Stadium.
Dan Hinchcliff opened the top of the first with a flare single to right and stole second. After a walk to Wyatt Schmidt put two on, the Crusaders got the first out on a force out at third.
Catholic loaded the bases on an error then pushed across a run on a ground ball to third. Alvernia starter
Ryan Sheekey got a comebacker to end the threat.
The Crusaders quickly tied the game scoring a run on a
Zach Nadolny two-out single.
Ben Dubas singled with one out and
Ben Sawyer followed with a single to right center.
Chris Burns struck out and with Sawyer on the move from first, Nadolny hit one through the hole on the right side to drive in the run.
The Cardinals regained the one-run lead in the top of the fifth. Schmidt walked to lead off the inning and stole second with two out. Jake Crist flared a single to left on a 2-0 count to drive in Schmidt.
Two innings later the Crusaders took the lead for good.
Cameron Coons ripped a leadoff double to the gap in left center and
Dan George laid down a bunt to move him over. The Catholic pitcher picked up the bunt and sailed it high to first allowing Coons to score the tying run.
Brok Martin was the next to lay down a bunt and the Cardinals tried to get George at third, but he beat the throw.
Richie Ricciardi pulled a grounder down to first to drive in George.
Louis Marotta entered for Sheekey in the top of the seventh and faced the minimum through 2.2 innings aided by a double play that ended the seventh. He handed the ball to Becker-Menditto who needed five pitches to lock down the save.
Sheekey went six innings and gave up two runs—one earned—on six hits with three walks.
The Crusaders advance in the winners bracket to face Misericordia at 7:45 p.m. on Thursday. Catholic faced Johns Hopkins in an elimination game at 1:15.
#2 Alvernia 3, #7 Catholic 2
