Frederick, Md. (Mar. 20, 2017) - The top four batters in the lineup racked up 12 hits and scored 10 runs as Alvernia University (10-1, 1-0) erased a 4-0 deficit on its way to a 12-6 win over Hood College (3-6, 0-1) Monday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth baseball action at FCC Baseball Field.

Leadoff batter Nathan Sides set the plate going 5-for-6 at the plate, Matt Briner went 2-for-4 in the two hole with an RBI and a pair of runs scored, Franco Esposito finished the game 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored, and Cameron Coons did the job of a cleanup hitter going 3-for-5 with a pair of 2-run doubles and three runs scored.

Hood took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Josh Greenberg lifted a two-out solo shot to left.  The Blazers scored three more times in the bottom of the second when three consecutive hitters hit triples.

Alvernia answered with a three-bagger of its own in the top of the third.  Ben Dubas drove in Esposito and Coons with a triple to center then scored on a Dillon Dunne single up the middle to pull the guests within a run at 4-3.

Alvernia took control with five runs in the top of the fourth inning sending nine batters to the plate collecting four hits and a walk.  Jon Strouse opened the inning with a walk then singles from Sides and Briner loaded the bases with no one out.  Esposito singled to center to tie the game then Coons doubled to center to drive in two more.

The Blazers looked like they might be able to get out of the inning stranding Alvernia runners at second and third after Dubas hit a que shot back to the pitcher and Dunne struck out.  Mike Cirilli hit a grounder to third, and the long throw across the diamond skipped away from the first basemen allowing Esposito and Coons to score pushing the Alvernia lead to 8-4.

Alvernia pushed across an insurance run in the fifth and scored three more in the seventh.

John Catchmark improved to 4-0 on the season and is now 12-0 for his career.  He settled down well after the rocky start allowing four runs on six hits with six strikeouts.  Michael Griffin threw the final three innings to pick up his second save of the season.

Sides set a new career-high in hits with five.  It's the 21st time Alvernia has had a player collect five base hits and is one shy of the school record of six held by Zach Lutz and Steve Burdan.  Fifteen different players have had 5-hit games in their careers.  Hall of Famers Todd Meyer and Eric Bonds have done it three times each.

Alvernia is scheduled to continue the season Wednesday hosting The College of New Jersey.

Alvernia 12, Hood 6