Glenside, Pa. (Apr. 28, 2019) - Alvernia University (25-13-2, 15-6) had 22 hits and scored 14 runs in a 14-10 MAC Commonwealth win over Arcadia University (24-15, 14-7) on Sunday afternoon, earning the series win and lockup the two seed in the MAC Commonwealth Championship.
The Golden Wolves took an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first with an RBI single by
Nathan Sides, and a two-run single by
Colin Rieger.
The Knights got two back in their half of the first to make it 3-2, then blew it open with a five run bottom of the second to take a 7-3 lead.
Alvernia began to chip away at the Knights lead with
Nick Nutile driving in a run in a run with a single to left in the top of the third.
The Golden Wolves then tied it up at 7-7 with a three run top of the fourth, which was capped off by a sac fly by Nutile.
The back and forth continued with the Knights retaking the lead with a two-run bottom of the fourth to go back up 9-7.
The Golden Wolves retook the lead with a three run fifth, with
Franco Esposito driving in the go-ahead run with a single to right.
The Knights kept themselves in it, tying the game again at 10-10 with an RBI double down the left field line.
The Golden Wolves retook the lead for good in the top of the seventh off a sac fly by
Logan Levan.
Alvernia added three insurance runs in the top of the eighth to get the 14-10 win.
The Golden Wolves went through six pitches on the mound, with
Frank Merlino picking up the win with a relief appearance in the seventh. Merlino struck out one and allowed one hit in an inning of work.
Matt Briner and Nutile were both a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, with Nutile driving in two runs. Rieger and Levan both finished with three RBIs, and Sides finished with three hits, two RBIs, and four runs scored.
Alvernia advances to the MAC Commonwealth Championship as the two seed. The Golden Wolves will start of the tournament facing Arcadia, the three seed, for the fourth time in less than a week. The two teams will face each other at 7:00 PM on Thursday at PeoplesBank Park in York. Hood College, the one seed, with take on Widener, the four seed, in the first game of the Championship.
