BOX SCORE 1 | BOX SCORE 2 Reading, Pa. (Apr. 22, 2017) - Alvernia University took game one of a MAC Commonwealth softball doubleheader against Stevenson University Saturday afternoon at Angelica Park. 

The Crusaders won the opener 5-4 in eight innings before dropping the nightcap 7-6.

In game one, Alvernia took to the board first, pulling ahead 1-0 in the second as the Crusaders used a fielder's choice and a trio of walks to collect its first run of the day.

Stevenson plated the equalizer in the top of the third, but Alvernia responded in the bottom half of the frame. Sarah Bystrycki gave the Crusaders a runner after being hit by a pitch, and moved into scoring position after swiping second. A Mustang miscue allowed Bystrycki to advance to third, putting her in scoring position for Morgan Psiuk, who grounded out to first to bring in Bystrycki for the 2-1 advantage.

The Crusaders tacked on another run in the fifth as Psiuk picked up her second RBI of the day, knocking a single to the right side to bring around Bernadette Carey, pinch runner for Amanda Turner who reached on a single up the middle.

Stevenson chipped at Alvernia's lead, coming within one in the sixth, and pulling ahead 4-3 in the top of the seventh.

The Crusaders did not settle, squaring the game at 4 in the bottom half. JoAnnah Lim started the offense with a single, and moved into scoring position on a fielder's choice. Another single by Turner gave Alvernia runners on the corners, and heads up base running by the duo scored Lim and put Turner on second for the 4-4 tie to force extra innings. 

Going to the bottom of the 8th, Alvernia put together a 2-out rally. Brianna DePriest extended the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a Lim single. Bystrycki then delivered the game winning knock with a flair up the middle for the 5-4 victory.

Brittany Brown picked up the win in the circle after entering in the seventh in relief for Riley Shields. The pair combined for 10 hits and four strikeouts.

In the nightcap, Alvernia took a 2-0 advantage in the first. DePriest opened the game with a walk, and quickly scored on a Mustang error off  a Lim bunt. Lim was plated with two outs as Taylor Thomas ripped an RBI triple to left. 

Stevenson brought in a pair of runs in the second, and used a long ball in the third to pull ahead 3-2.

The Mustangs extended their lead in the sixth with a trio of runs.

The Crusaders found some offense in the bottom half, using back-to-back singles and a hit by pitch to load the bases with one out. Thomas collected another RBI by drawing a walk, cutting the deficit 6-3, however Stevenson worked out of the inning without allowing another run.

The Mustangs added what would be the game winning run in the seventh.

Trailing 7-3, Alvernia put together a strong effort in the final inning. Emily Carmella opened with a single, and the Crusaders picked up another runner as Alex Maher was hit by a pitch. DePriest singled to load the bases, and an RBI fielder's choice by JoAnnah Lim brought Alvernia within three.

Bystrycki and Turner kept the offense going, roping back-to-back singles to cut Stevenson's lead to one, 7-6, but the Mustangs used a line-drive double play to hold on for the win.

The Crusaders return to action on Monday with a single game against Widener University. The home contest is set for a 4:00 start.