Reading, Pa. (Apr. 7, 2019) - Alvernia University (17-9-1, 9-3) used four-run innings in the third and fifth innings to take an 8-7 win over Messiah College (9-15, 2-10) on Sunday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth baseball action at Alvernia.
Messiah lit up the board first, scoring a run in the top of the second on a single to right. The Falcons added two more in the top of the third on a double down the right field line to drive to go up 3-1.
Alvernia responded with a big bottom of the third.
Ian Shaffer and
Mike Cirilli both reached on walks to start off the inning, and
Nathan Sides made the Falcons pay when he tripled down the right field line to bring in Shaffer and Cirilli.
Colin Rieger then brought in Sides on a sacrifice fly to right.
Grant Hackett capped off the inning with a single through the left side to drive in
Nick Nutile, who also reached on a walk.
The Falcons tied it up at 4-4 in the top of the fifth with an RBI triple right center, but Alvernia again responded with a big bottom of the fifth.
With one out, Rieger reached on a single through the left side.
Alex Salesky then reached first on a bunt and made it all the way to third on a throwing error, allowing Rieger to score the first run of the inning.
Joe Ginder then singled up the middle to bring in Salesky, and
Logan Levan  loaded up the bases two batters later on a single to short. Shaffer then reached on a fielder's choice at third, and another throwing mishap by the third baseman allowed allowed two runs to score to put Alvernia up 8-4.
The Falcons chipped into Alvernia's four run lead with a two-run sixth and one-run eighth to cut Alvernia's lead down to one run. The Falcons had the game-tying run on first with one out in the top of the ninth, but the next two batters were retired as Alvernia took the 8-7 win.
Brian Kane got the start and the win in five innings pitched. He struck out five and allowed seven hits. Cirilli picked up the save after moving to the mound in the top of the eighth. Cirilli struck out one and allowed one hit.
Four Wolves finished with two hits on the afternoon, and Sides went 1-for-5 with two RBIs.
Alvernia returns to the field on Tuesday when they host Rutgers-Newark in non-conference action.
