Reading, Pa. (Mar. 29, 2017) - Alvernia University picked up a pair of wins Wednesday as the Crusaders swept Penn State-Berks 1-0 and 6-1 in a non-conference softball double-header at Angelica Park

Alvernia notched its lone run of the opener in the first inning. Brianna DePriest led off with a single and advanced to second on a Bernadette Carey sacrifice. Back-to-back walks by JoAnnah Lim and Emily Carmella loaded the bases for Sarah Bystrycki, who pushed across DePriest after being hit by a pitch. 

The Crusaders put runners on in every inning, but were unable to convert another run. 

PSU-Berks threatened to score in the first and the fifth innings, advancing runners to third on both occasions. In the first, Analise Fouracre helped work the Crusaders out of a jam,  throwing out Penn State's Ashley Malik attempting to steal second. 

In the fifth, Alvernia pitcher Riley Sheilds bounced back after giving up a lead-off walk, inducing a ground ball and a fly out to left to keep the Lions scoreless.

Shields collected the complete game victory in the circle, earning her first collegiate shutout as she scattered five hits with four strikeouts.

In the nightcap, the Crusaders posted a three-spot in the second to get on the board. Amanda Turner gave Alvernia its first runner of the game on a single to left, and moved up a bag on the sacrifice by Bystrycki. With two outs, Taylor Thomas delivered an RBI single down the right field line to plate Turner. Thomas would score a batter later, going first to home on a Morgan Psiuk triple. Psiuk tacked on the final run of the inning, utilizing a Taylor Malinish run-down to count the third tally. 

Alvernia added another run in the fifth as Psiuk kept a hot bat, leading off the inning with a single and coming around to score on a sac fly by DePriest.

Berks plated its lone run of the day in the top of the sixth with the Crusaders answering with a duo of runs in the bottom half of the frame. With pinch runner Carey on third for Turner, Jocelyn Flores knocked a single through the left side to put Alvernia ahead 5-1. Flores scored Alvernia's final run of the game on a pair of singles by Thomas and Psiuk.

Brittany Brown earned the win on the mound, throwing six complete innings, allowing just five hits.

Leading the way offensively for Alvernia were Morgan Psiuk and Amanda Turner, who were 4-for-5 and 3-for-4, respectively.

The Crusaders take to their home field again tomorrow, hosting Neumann University at 3:00 pm.