Glenside, Pa. (Apr. 14, 2017) - Alvernia University split the twinbill with Arcadia University, taking game one 3-1 before falling in the nightcap 3-2 in 10, Thursday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth softball action.
In the opener, the Crusaders posted all three of their runs in the top of seventh. Pinch hitter
Bernadette Carey led off the frame with a bases loaded walk and advanced safely on a play attempt at second off the bat of
Morgan Psiuk to give Alvernia a pair of runners. A sacrifice by
Mckenzie Miessau moved the duo into scoring position for Alexandria Maher, who delivered with an RBI single to right to plate Carey for the 1-0 advantage.
Maher then took second, and a walk by
Analise Fouracre loaded the bases for
Brianna DePriest, who put the Crusaders ahead 2-0 with a deep sac fly to left to score Psiuk.
Alvernia loaded the bags again after a
JoAnnah Lim walk, allowing
Sarah Bystrycki to drive in run #3 on a single up the middle.
The Knights posted one run to start the bottom half of the inning, and threatened to tie the game with the bases juiced and two outs, but pitcher
Riley Shields induced the final groundout to short to close out the game.
Shields earned the complete game win on the mound, scattering four hits with 5 Ks.
In the nightcap, the Knight jumped ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first, taking advantage of a two out miscue by the Crusaders.
Alvernia pushed across the equalizer in the sixth as Carey scored for the second time of the day. Pinch running for Miessau, who led off the inning with a single, Carey moved up a bag on the sacrifice by DePriest, and advanced to third on a Lim single. The Knights attempted to pick off Carey after Lim swiped second, but the throw was wide allowing Carey to tie the game 1-1.
The two squads exchanged strong defensive innings through the 9th, forcing international tie-breaker in the 10th.
With Psiuk starting on second, Maher pushed her over to third and Psiuk quickly scored on
Taylor Thomas's RBI fielder's choice to the 5/6 hole to put the Crusaders up 2-1.
The Knights responded in the bottom half, using an Alvernia miscue and a pair of hits to take a 3-2 win.
The Crusaders were limited to 6 hits in game two.
Shields suffered the loss on the mound, throwing 5.1 innings of relief for starter
Brittany Brown. The duo surrendered nine hits and combined for five strikeouts.
Bystrycki led the way offensively for Alvernia, posting three hits on the day with an RBI. Defensively, Psiuk posted three assists from center, throwing out a runner at home in the bottom of the sixth in the first game to keep Arcadia off the board, and nailing a pair of runners at third in game two.
Alvernia continues Commonwealth Conference play on Wednesday, hosting Widener University at 3:00 pm.
