Swarthmore, Pa. (Mar. 17, 2016) - Alvernia University (6-4) opened its first double header since its return from Florida with a pair of wins over Swarthmore College (5-5) Thursday afternoon in nonconference action at Swarthmore.

The Crusaders bats came alive in game one, starting in the top of the second. Mckenzie Miessau opened the frame with a double to left, and moved up a bag on a wild pitch. With two outs, Emily Carmella drew the walk to bring up Taylor Malinish, who drove an RBI single to left to plate Miessau.

Alvernia then took advantage of a pair of Garnet miscues as Morgan Psiuk was hit by a pitch to load the passes, and Carmella scored on a passed ball.

The Crusaders continued to strive in the box in the fourth as Carmella provided Alvernia with a base runner with a one out double. After another passed ball placed Carmella on third, Malinish drove in her second run of the day to take Alvernia up 3-0.

Malinish wasn't on the base paths for long as Brianna DePriest roped a triple to cross her. Aly Shilling followed with a single to plate DePriest, and Amanda Turner used a double to bring around Shilling for the 6-0 margin.

The Crusaders pushed across another run in the sixth as Amanda Riveira reached first to start the inning. DePriest continued her career day with a single up the middle, and after Shilling advanced Riveira and pinch runner Sam Conte, a Miessau single put the Crusaders up 7-0.

Swarthmore picked up two runs in the bottom of the sixth with no outs, but pitcher Brittanie Wolfe forced two fly balls and a strikeout to limit the Garnet runs.

Wolfe improved to 4-0 with the complete game win, scattering just four hits in seven innings.

In the nightcap, the Crusaders followed suit of game one and pulled ahead to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second. Malinish was once again clutch for Alvernia, knocking a two-out single to plate Taylor Thomas and Brianna Fisher, who reached on a bunt and a fielder's choice respectively.

Alvernia expanded its lead in the fifth, tacking on another run for the 3-0 advantage. DePriest gave the Crusaders a one-out single, and moved ahead to third on a Shilling walk and a Turner fielder's choice. With the bases loaded, Miessau crossed DePriest on an RBI single to right.

The Crusaders still had some hits in them though, putting two more on the board in the seventh. Shilling and Turner repeated their game-one combination as Shilling scored on a Turner double after reaching on a single up the middle. Turner then gave the Crusaders the 5-0 edge, scoring on a Miessau single.

Sophomore pitcher Taylor Fouracre was dominant in the circle, surrendering just two hits in her complete game, shutout effort.

The Crusaders were led offensively by DePriest, Miessau, and Malinish. DePriest put together an impressive 5-for-6 day at the plate with two runs scored. Sophomore Mckenzie Miessau finished the day 4-for-7 with 3 RBI, while Taylor Malinish was 3-for-7 with 4 RBI.

Alvernia takes to the field again on Saturday, hosting Lycoming in its home opener on Saturday. First pitch for the MAC Commonwealth Conference double-header is set for 1:00.