Ft. Myers, Fla. (Mar. 7, 2016) - Alvernia University ran it's spring break streak to four wins with a doubleheader sweep of Rivier College in non-conference baseball action Monday at Lee County PDC.

Freshman Zack Landy and Nick Marotta both picked up their first collegiate wins in relief.  Landy went 2.0 innings in the opener as the Crusaders won 8-3 in extra innings.  Marotta threw a 1-2-3 inning in a 12-7 Alvernia win in game two.

Cameron Coons and Nathan Sides both went 3-for-4 at the plate in game one.  Coons was one of four players to have two hits apiece in game two.  He also scored a pair of runs and drove in three on a bases-clearing triple in the fourth.

In game one, Alvernia posted two runs in the first on a Coons double and an RBI single from Ben Dubas.  It held the lead until Rivier scored a single run of Lou Marotta in the seventh to tie the game and force extra innings (the doubleheader was originally scheduled for two 7-inning games).

Alvernia had the go-ahead runner to third in the eighth, but couldn't score, then Rivier threatened to score in the home half of the inning against Landy getting two on with one out, but the freshman righty posted back-to-back strikeouts to strand the runners.  The Crusaders scored five times in the ninth on three hits, a pair of walks, and an error.  Jon Strouse singled to start the inning and a Dubas walk with the bases loaded forced in the go-ahead run.  Colin Rieger followed with a two-run single through the left side and James Bertolotti and Sides also drove in runs.

Freshman Thomas Malik started and went 5.2 innings allowing just one earned run with a pair of strikeouts.

In game two, both teams got to the starters early.  Rivier posted four runs in the top of the first inning on three hits, a walk, and three Alvernia errors.  The Crusaders answered immediately with five runs in the bottom of the first.  Five of the first six batters reached and scored with four straight batters driving in runs.  Dubas and John Catchmark both singled in runs before an RBI walk from Mike Cunningham.  Catcher Ethan Francis put the Crusaders up 5-4 with a 2-run single to center.

Rivier tied the game at 5-5 with a run in the third and took a 7-5 lead with two more in the fourth, but once again the Crusaders answered.  Vinny Case walked to start the inning, Rieger was hit by a pitch, Chris Burns singled to load the bases and Coons emptied them with a triple to the gap in right.  Alvernia added three runs in the sixth for the final margin.

The Crusaders continue the spring trip Tuesday with a single game against Ohio Wesleyan.

Game One - Alvernia 8, Rivier 3 (9)
Game Two - Alvernia 12, Rivier 7