York, Pa. (May 20, 2017) – Sophomore
Thomas Malik threw his second complete game of the season and fifth-seeded Alvernia University (30-14-2) posted a pair of 5-run innings in an 11-1 over #6 Elizabethtown College (28-17) Saturday morning in game nine of the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Baseball Regional at PEOPLESBank Park.
"I think after the emotional game last night this was a real test for us today," said Alvernia head coach
Yogi Lutz who's team dropped a 13-9 decision to top-seeded Johns Hopkins late Friday. "These guys have been resilient all year. I just love these guys, their work effort. They're an amazing team."
The Crusaders scored five runs in the third and five more in the fifth in support of Malik who needed 99 pitches and allowed the one run on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
"It was great to be back on the mound especially in such a competitive atmosphere," said Malik who improved to 6-1 on the season. "From the first inning I knew I wanted to go all nine and get the win today."
Franco Esposito and
Nathan Sides both had three hits with three RBIs.
Ben Dubas went 2-for-5 with three RBIs.
Alvernia reaches 30 wins for the 13th time under head coach
Yogi Lutz and the sixth time in the last eight years.
The Crusaders had runners on in each of the first two innings, but didn't break through until the third. With
Colin Rieger on at second, Sides hit a high chopper to short and knocked the first baseman over on a close play at first that allowed Reiger to scamper home.
The inning was extended on an error that loaded the bases and Dubas cleared them with a double to the gap in left. Esposito followed with an RBI single and the Crusaders were up 5-0 after three.
Malik got the Jays in order in the third and the fourth and the Crusaders doubled their lead with five more in the fifth.
Matt Briner doubled in
Cameron Coons to get it started and Esposito ripped his second straight RBI single.
Mike Cirilli was hit by a pitch to force in a run and Sides delivered a single to center to push the lead to 10-0.
Brian Portillo doubled and scored for the Jays in the bottom of the fifth, but Alvernia got the run right back in the sixth when Briner singled to lead off the inning, moved up to third on a Dubas single, and scored on a bunt from Esposito.
Malik got double plays in both the seventh and eighth innings and closed it out with a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth.
"We're going to go back and sleep a little bit," said Lutz. "It might feel like a long turnaround compared to last night. Main thing is we're still here and we're going to keep competing."
#5 Alvernia 11, #6 Elizabethtown 1
