Reading, Pa. (Mar. 27, 2019) - Alvernia University (13-5-1) and Gwynedd Mercy University (5-9-1) fought to an 8-8 tie in a game that was called for darkness after the 11th inning on Wednesday evening at Alvernia.

Gwynedd Mercy opened the game with a leadoff triple to right field and went on to score three runs to take the early 3-0 lead.

The Golden Wolves got one back in the bottom of the first when Franco Esposito tripled down the left field line to drive in Nathan Sides.

The Griffins extended their lead to 4-1 in the top of the second, but Alvernia tied it up with a three-run bottom of the second.

Ian Shaffer hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to right to bring in Gavin Blankenbiller. Mike Cirilli then drove in two runs with a single to left center to tie it up at 4-4.

Both the Griffins and Golden Wolves each scored a run in the respective halves of their innings to keep it locked up at 5-5.

Gwynedd Mercy pulled ahead to a 7-5 lead in the top of the fourth, runs scoring on a single through the left side and a single up the middle.

Gwynedd extended its lead to 8-5 in the top of the sixth, but Alvernia got one back in the bottom of the sixth with Cirilli singling up the middle to drive in Shaffer to make it 8-6.

The Golden Wolves took advantage of four errors by the Griffins in the bottom of the seventh to score two runs and tie it up at
8-8.

The Griffins had the game-winning run on third in the top of the ninth, but Frank Merlino retired the final two batters to end the threat.

The Griffins retired the side in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings.

Gwynedd again had the game-winning run in scoring position, but the runner was caught stealing.

The Golden Wolves retired the side in the top of the 11th and Alex Salesky walked in the lead off position in the bottom of the 11th. Salesky was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Colin Rieger. Jack Fenwick nearly had a walk-off hit down the right field line, but the ball was just foul. Fenwick was struck out swinging and Joe Ginder lined out to right field to end the inning.

The game was called for darkness at an 8-8 tie prior to the start of the 12th.

Brian Kane went 3.2 in the start for Alvernia. He struck out three and allowed 11 hits. Four Golden Wolves made relief appearances.

Shaffer and Sides both finished with three hits. Cirilli went 2-for-6 with three RBIs.

Alvernia resumes its MAC Commonwealth schedule on the road at Hood on Friday. The Golden Wolves return home for the doubleheader on Saturday to complete the series with the Blazers.