Chester, Pa. (Apr. 13, 2018) - Freshman Sean Esch threw a complete game and Alvernia University (19-9, 10-3) scored four runs in the final three innings for a 5-3 win over Widener University (13-13, 7-6) Friday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth baseball at Widener.

Colin Rieger drove in a run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh to tie the game at 2-2 then Franco Esposito reached on an error that allowed a run to score and Mike Cirilli drove in a run as the Golden Wolves took a 4-3 lead in the top of the eighth, and Matt Briner drove in an insurance run in the ninth.

Esch allowed three runs on nine hits with five strikeouts.  

After back-to-back two-out hits in the first gave Alvernia an early 1-0 lead, the Pride collected three of its nine base hits in the bottom of the first inning and scored twice for a 2-1 lead.

That lead held until the Rieger sac fly in the seventh.  Esposito and Ian Shaffer singled to open the inning and Alex Salesky reached on a throwing error by the pitcher on a sac bunt attempt to load the bases.  After the sac fly, Widener was able to end the threat getting Dillon Dunne on a pop out to first and pinch hitter Marcus Celiano on a fielder's choice.

Widener regained the lead on a two-out solo shot from Greg Elfreth in the bottom of the seventh, but Alvernia took the 4-3 lead with two unearned runs in the top of the eighth.

Ben Dubas had a 10-pitch at-bat working a two out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Esposito reached on a throwing error by the Widener shortstop allowing Dubas to score, and two batters later Salesky slapped a single to left that scored pinch runner Hunter Hart.

Widener had the potential tying run in scoring position after a one-out double in the bottom of the eighth, but he was doubled off on a liner to Briner at first.

Alvernia tacked on a run in the top of the ninth when Logan Levan doubled and came in on a Briner single.

Esch came back out for the bottom of the ninth and got the first two out before an infield single allowed the tying run to come to the plate.  Widener reserve Joe Addvensky popped the first pitch to Dunne in foul ground to end the game.

Alvernia is the first conference team to 10 wins and will host the final two games of the series with Widener at Angelica Park on Saturday.

Alvernia 5, Widener 3