Annville, Pa (April 28, 2018) - Alvernia University (28-11, 16-5) split its doubleheader with Lebanon Valley College (11-22, 7-14) and clinched the one seed in the upcoming MAC Commonwealth Championship on Saturday afternoon at Lebanon Valley.

Alvernia fell 3-1 in game one of the day, but took a decisive 9-1 in the second game of the day. Game two was called after five innings due to weather.

In game one of the day, Alvernia took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on a Marcus Celiano RBI single to right to drive in Alex Salesky.

Alvernia held onto its one run lead until the bottom of the sixth when Lebanon Valley's TJ Holdredge hit a three run homerun to give the Dutchmen the 3-1 advantage.

The Golden Wolves had runners on second and third in the top of the seventh, but were unable to bring them home.

Thomas Malik went the distance for Alvernia in game one, allowing five hits and striking out three, in the loss.

In game two of the doubleheader, Alvernia got off to a fast start in the top of the first. Matt Briner opened up the scoring with an RBI single to center field. Franco Esposito reached on a walk and advanced a runner home to score Alvernia's second run of the inning. In the following at bat, Ian Shaffer singled down the left field line to drive in two more runs, and Shaffer and Esposito scored when Hunter Hart reached on an error.

Alvernia added three more runs in the top of the second to take a 9-0 lead. Shaffer was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in the first run of the inning and Colin Rieger drove in two more with a single down the left field line.

The Dutchmen got one back in the first at bat of the bottom of the third with a solo homerun from Michael Leri.

The game was halted in the bottom of the third for a lightning delay. The game resumed, but was halted again, and the called, following the fifth inning.

John Catchmark got the start and pitched two innings, striking out two and allowing two hits. Brian Kane came in in relief in the bottom of the third to pick up the win and improve to 4-0 on the season.

With the split, and with Arcadia dropping a game to Stevenson, the Golden Wolves clinched the number one seed for the 2018 MAC Championship. Alvernia has made the conference tournament every year since joining the MAC Commonwealth in 2009-10, and this is its fourth consecutive year, and seventh year overall, as the one seed.

The Championship begins on Thursday, May 3rd at PEOPLEsBank Park in York, Pa. Alvernia will face the four seed - either Hood College or Widener University - at 4:00 PM on Thursday in game one of the championship. Joining Alvernia, Hood, and Widener in the MAC Commonwealth Championship is the second seeded Arcadia University.

For up-to-date Championship information and a complete tournament schedule, visit the MAC Commonwealth's Baseball Championship Central.

Game One: Lebanon Valley 3, Alvernia 1
Game Two: Alvernia 9, Lebanon Valley 1 (5 innings)