Reading, Pa. (March 25, 2018) - Alvernia University (13-4, 5-0) picked up a pair of one-run wins over Messiah College (4-8, 1-4) to continue a perfect start in MAC Commonwealth play during Sunday baseball action at Alvernia.

Following an hour and fifteen minute snow delay, and a joint effort from Messiah and Alvernia to clear the field, the first game got underway with Nicholas Marotta and Jordan Nichols entering into a pitching duel.

Messiah threatened in the top of the second with two on and two outs, but Nicholas Marotta got out of the jam, forcing a fielder's choice and a force out at second.

The Golden Wolves broke the 0-0 tie in the bottom of the sixth. Mike Cirilli led off the inning with a double to left center, and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Nathan Sides. In the following at bat, Matt Briner brought Cirilli in with a single to left to give Alvernia the 1-0 lead.

The Falcons again threatened in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Messiah had the tying run on third. Kyle Gaynor threw a pitch out of the reach of catcher Alex Salesky, and the runner on third charged home. Salesky quickly scooped up the wild pitch and tossed it to Gaynor to get the third and final out.

Marotta went six innings and struck out six to pick up his third win of the season. Gaynor picked up his fourth save of the season.

In game two, Messiah struck first with a two run top of the third.

Alvernia answered in the bottom of the fourth. Marcus Celiano hit a 2-run double deep into left center to score Rieger and Dubas. Celiano then came home on a passed ball to give Alvernia a 3-2 lead.

In the first at bat of the top of the fifth, the Falcons tied it back up with a solo shot from Trent Culver.

Alvernia retook the lead in the bottom of the fifth with a sacrifice fly from Colin Rieger to score Matt Briner, who reached on a double to start off the inning, and put the Golden Wolves up 4-3.

The one run lead would again be enough, as Thomas Malik and Zack Landy retired the final six Falcons in order.

Malik pitched five and third, striking out six, to improve to 3-0 on the season. Landy came in for relief for the final one and two thirds inning to to pick up his first save of
the season. Ben Dubas led the offense with two hits and a run.

With most of the MAC Commonwealth postponing this weekend's series, Alvernia sits atop the standings with its 5-0 record. Arcadia currently sits in second with a 3-0 record.

Alvernia and Messiah will still need to play the third game of their series at a date to be determined. The game was originally set to be played on Friday, but snow early in the week postponed the contest.

The Golden Wolves return to action on Wednesday when they travel to take on Gwynedd Mercy University.

Game 1: Alvernia 1, Messiah 0
Game 2: Alvernia 4, Messiah 3