Scranton, Pa. (May 10, 2017) - Sixth-seeded Penn State-Altoona (18-17) scored four runs in the fifth inning on its way to a 5-1 win over #3 Alvernia University (19-16) Wednesday afternoon in opening round action of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championships at Marywood's Pacer Field.

The Lions manufactured a run in the first to take a 1-0 lead.  Kelsey Bristol lead off with an infield single, moved up on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a throwing error.

Alvernia had a baserunner in each of the first two innings, but couldn't push across the tying run.

Altoona opened the fifth inning with back-to-back bunt singles with the leadoff hitter scoring on another throwing error.  Two more infield hits loaded the bases with one out then a walk forced in the third run.  The Lions drove in runs on the next two at-bats with another infield single and a groundout to take a 5-0 lead.

Alvernia was able to make one final push in the bottom of the seventh.  Three straight one-out singles pushed across a run and an Altoona fielding error loaded the bases with one out bringing the tying run to the plate in freshman leadoff batter JoAnnah Lim.  Lim ripped a pitch the opposite way, but the Altoona first baseman snagged the liner and doubled the runner off first to end the game.

Riley Shields went the distance for the Crusaders in the circle giving up five runs on 11 hits with five strikeouts.  Five different players had a hit each for Alvernia. 

Altoona advances to the four-team, double-elimination weekend tournament hosted by Arcadia University.  Marywood and NYU will battle for another spot with New Rochelle and Stockton playing for the fourth and final spot.

#6 PSU-Altoona 5, #3 Alvernia 1