Reading, Pa. (May 3, 2017) -  Alvernia University's Baseball team has earned the No. 1 seed in the MAC Commonwealth Baseball Championships, set to begin on Thursday, May 4.

Alvernia finished the 2017 season with an overall record of 26-11-2, posting a 15-6 conference showing.

The Crusaders were nationally ranked in 7 out of 10 weeks, reaching 11th in both the ABCA and D3Baseball polls. 

Alvernia will open the tournament facing No.4 seed Lebanon Valley at 4:00 pm at PeoplesBank Stadium in York, Pa. 


Key Performers:
Nathan Sides (So.) – The 2016 MAC Commonwealth Rookie of the Year, Sides continues to be a force for the Crusaders in his second year, leading the team in batting average (.455), at bats (156), runs (47), hits (71), doubles (12), triples (5), total bases (96), on base percentage (.482) and stolen bases (12). Sides currently ranks first in the conference in hits and second in batting average. 

John Catchmark (So.) – Appearing in 10 games this season, Catchmark boasts a 1.91 ERA. With 66 innings pitched, Catchmark has allowed just 14 earned runs and recorded 88 strikeouts. In conference play, he holds a 5-2 record with a pair of shutouts. 

Tournament Schedule:
Thursday, May 4
Game 1: No. 4 Lebanon Valley vs. No. 1 Alvernia, 4 p.m.
Game 2: No. 3 Widener vs. No. 2 Arcadia, 7 p.m.

Friday, May 5
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 11 a.m.
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 3 p.m.
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 6
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 12 p.m.
Game 7: (If Necessary), 3 p.m.

Tournament Website:
MAC Commonwealth Baseball Championship