York, Pa, (May 3, 2019) - # 2 Alvernia University (27-13-2) scored on a walk-off wild pitch in the bottom of the 11th on Friday afternoon to take the 2-1 win over #4 Widener University (18-23-1) and advance to the championship game of the 2019 MAC Baseball Championship.

In a game that would turn into a pitcher's duel, Alvernia's only two runs of the game came off a bases loaded walk to tie the game at 1-1, and a wild pitch to end it.

The Pride struck first in the top of the fifth, scoring on a fielding error to go up 1-0.

The Golden Wolves were held to just two hits prior to entering the bottom of the seventh. Colin Rieger got Alvernia started in the seventh with a leadoff walk, but was out on the following play on a fielder's choice. With one on and one, Alex Salesky hit an infield single and Logan Levan loaded the bases on a walk. Ian Shaffer than walked with the bases loaded to bring in Nick Nutile and tie the game up at 1-1.

Nathan Sides led off the bottom of the eighth with a ground rule double, but Sides would be out at home two batters later to end any Alvernia threat.

The Pride threatened in the top of the ninth with runners on second and third and no outs, but Alvernia, behind relief appearances by Mike Cirilli and Gavin Blankenbiller got out of the jam with a ground out and two strikeouts.

In the bottom of the ninth, Logan Levan was in scoring position with one out following a double down the right field line. Alvernia could not convert, sending the game into extra innings.

Alvernia retired the Pride in the top of the tenth. The Pride's best threat came in the top of the 11th with runners on the corners and two outs. But, Alvernia forced a line-out to left field to get out of the threat.

The Golden Wolves got to work right away in the bottom of the 11th with Gavin Blankenbiller hitting a leadoff double. Billy Dougar came in to pinch run for Blankenbiller, and was advanced to third on a bunt by Jami Wendel. Widener's James Dougherty then sent in a wild pitch for the Pride, allowing Dougar to score and giving Alvernia the walk-off 2-1 win.

Nicholas Marotta went eight innings for Alvernia in the start. He struck out nine batters, and allowed six hits and one run. Kyle Gaynor picked up the win in two and one-third innings of relief. Gaynor struck out two and did not allow any hits.

Seven Golden Wolves finished with one hit against the Pride.

Alvernia advances to the championship game, but are awaiting an opponent. The Golden Wolves will take on the winner of Game Five, which is featuring Arcadia and
Hood in an elimination game. That game was suspended in the bottom of the third with severe weather moving through the area. That game will resume at 11:00 AM on Saturday morning, with the Championship game beginning one hour after the completion after Game Five.  

Alvernia 2 Widener 1 (11)