Grantham, Pa. (Mar. 24, 2016) - Alvernia University (9-7, 2-2) came up on the short end of a set of games against Messiah College (13-2, 2-0), falling 6-5 in the final inning in MAC Commonwealth softball action Thursday afternoon at Messiah.

In game one, Alvernia took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Brianna DePriest gave the Crusaders their first base runner of the day on a walk, and Amanda Turner counted her on a stand up double off the center field wall. Turner was not on base for long as Miessau followed with a double of her own to cross Turner for the two run advantage.

Messiah quickly responded, stringing together four consecutive hits in the bottom half of the frame to lock the game at 2.

The Crusaders offense sparked again in the third DePriest yet again jump started things with a one-out double. Aly Shilling and Miessau then flexed their power, each knocking a long ball to pull ahead 5-2.

The Falcons chipped at Alvernia's lead in the bottom of the fourth, scratching across two to cut their deficit 5-4.

The Crusaders threated to score again in the top of the fifth, loading the bases with no outs, however they were unable to convert.

Messiah tied things at 5 in the bottom of the fifth with a double and single.

After a scoreless sixth, the Falcons picked up their final run in the bottom of the seventh on a bases loaded walk.

Game two opened in the same fashion as game one as Morgan Psiuk reached in the top of the first on a walk. Psiuk advanced to third on a Shilling single, and came around to score on an RBI fielder's choice by Turner for the 1-0 margin.

The Falcon notched an equalizer in the bottom of the 2^nd as Cressman homered.

Alvernia wasted no time in answering, packing on two runs in the top of the third inning. Taylor Malinish quickly reached third, opening the frame with a single and advancing on an overthrow and a DePriest sacrifice. Shilling and Turner were then at it again, partnering for a single and a double to take the 3-1 lead.

Messiah pushed back in the fourth, using a homerun and a series of walks to tie the game 3-all. The Falcons then moved ahead 5-3 on a flare hit to right.

The Crusaders were not done though, shortening the gap as Turner kept a hot bat and counted Malinish, who started the inning with a walk.

Alvernia knotted the game 5-5 in the top of the 7^th as Miessau roped a single to left to plate Psiuk.

The Falcons again pushed in the winning run in the bottom of the 7^th, this time on a two-out single.

The Crusaders saw strong pitching performances from Brittanie Wolfe, Brittany  Brown and Taylor Fouracre.

Leading Alvernia offensively were Shilling (5-for-8), Turner (4-for-7), and Malinish (3-for-5).

The Crusaders take their home field again on Tuesday, hosting Penn State Berks in a nonconference double header starting at 3:00 pm.