Reading, Pa (April 1, 2017) – #16/18 Alvernia University (16-2-1, 7-1) allowed just seven total hits in a pair of shutout wins against Lebanon Valley College Dutchmen (10-8, 4-4) Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth baseball action at Angelica Park.

In game one of the doubleheader, sophomore pitcher John Catchmark allowed just three hits and struck out 10 Dutchmen to lead the Crusaders to a 1-0 win.

At the plate, Alvernia had eight hits, but it was a dribbling bunt for a base hit in the bottom of the fifth by freshman Mike Cirilli that allowed senior Ethan Francis to score, giving the Crusaders their only run of game one.

Alvernia got off to an early offensive start in game two, with Nathan Sides singling through the right side and  Ben Dubas taking one deep for a two-run homerun in the bottom of the first.

???????Alvernia added to its lead in the bottom of the second when Ian Shaffer tripled to deep center field. Franco Esposito then brought Shaffer home with a sacrifice fly to right.

In the bottom of the third, the Crusaders added to their lead when senior Cam Coons singled to left field to drive in Cirilli, who had reached on a double to right field earlier in the inning.

The Crusaders added one more run to their lead in the bottom of the fifth. Senior Joe Iacobellis lead of the inning with a double to center field. A ground ball to second base by Sides advanced Iacobellis to third, and a sacrifice fly to left field by Cirilli brought Iacobellis home. The five run lead would hold the rest of the game.

The second game was again highlighted by excellent pitching by sophomore Tom Malik. Malik retired the first seven batters of the game and allowed only four hits on his way to a complete game shutout and a 5-0 Alvernia win.

???????Alvernia concludes the MAC Commonwealth Conference Series against the Lebanon Valley Dutchmen tomorrow at 12:30 P.M. at Lebanon Valley College.
 
Alvernia 1, Lebanon Valley 0 (Game One)
Alvernia 5, Lebanon Valley 0 (Game Two)