Reading, Pa. (Apr. 24, 2017) - Alvernia starter John Catchmark struck out a career high 14 batters over eight innings in the Crusaders' (24-10-2, 13-5) 6-1 win over Stevenson University (17-19, 8-10) in MAC Commonwealth baseball action at Angelica Park.

The Crusaders were in need of a shutdown game from a starter having dropped four straight, and that's exactly what Catchmark delivered.  He went eight innings and didn't allow a run giving up just two hits and a walk to go with the 14 strikeouts. It's the fifth outing with double digits Ks for Catchmark and breaks his previous best of 11.  The Alvernia team record is 16, achieved by Wade Miller and Andrew Kirk.

Catchmark struck out two batters in the first, third, fourth, and sixth innings, and closed his day with his strongest inning in the eighth when he struck out the side.

Alvernia scored two runs in the home half of the first inning, added two more in the third, and scored single runs in the fourth and seventh.  

Matt Briner went 3-for-3 at the plate and drove in both runs in the first inning.  Mike Cirilli and Nathan Sides both had two hits and two runs scored.

Antonio Baglivo pitched the ninth and allowed one run while striking out the side.

Alvernia finds itself in a tie with Arcadia for first place in the conference at 13-5.  Both teams have clinched a postseason berth.  The two teams meet for the final 3-game series of the season this weekend starting with the single game at Arcadia on Friday.   The winner of the series will be the top seed in the MAC Commonwealth Championships which are scheduled for PEOPLEsBank Park in York, May 4-6.

Alvernia returns to action on Wednesday for a rescheduled game with Rutgers-Camden at 3:30 p.m. in Angelica Park.

Alvernia 6, Stevenson 1