Grantham, Pa. (May 3, 2019) - #3 Alvernia University (24-17-1) was eliminated on the first day of the MAC Commonwealth Championship following two losses on Friday at host Messiah, who is hosting this year's tournament.
Alvernia fell to #2 Albright 6-5 in Alvernia's first game of the day with the Lions posting a late rally. The Golden Wolves then fell to #5 Lebanon Valley College 2-0 in the first elimination game of the Championship.
In Alvernia's first game of the day, the Golden Wolves led 5-1 going into the bottom of the sixth, but the Lions used a five-run sixth inning to take the 6-5 lead and hang on for the win.
Alvernia got things started in game one with
Sarah Bystrycki singling up the middle and then scoring on Riley Shield's at-bat.
Bystrycki then scored again in the bottom top the third after reaching on a leadoff double and then scoring on Shield's RBI single to go up 2-0.
The Lions scored one in the bottom of third to make it 2-1.
Alvernia extended its lead to 4-1 in the top of the 4th with
Alyssa Acker leading off with a double.
Kerstin Koenig then reached on an error.
Sarah Reinert then tripled to center to score Acker and Koenig.
Alvernia went up 5-1 in the top of the sixth with Bystrycki doubling to right to score Reinert.
The Lions' offense came alive in the bottom of the sixth. With the bases loaded, Kaitlyn Chell hit a bases clearing triple to cut Alvernia's lead down to 5-4. The Lions then tied it up at 5-5 on a defensive mishap by Alvernia, and took the 6-5 lead on a single to left.
The Lions retired the side in the top of the seventh to stun Alvernia with the 6-5 lead.
Bystrycki led Alvernia's offense with three hits, two runs scored, and an RBI.
The loss to Albright forced Alvernia to play a second game on the day. Alvernia faced #5 Lebanon Valley College, who lost to Widener in the first game of the Championship, in an elimination game.
The Dutchmen held Alvernia scoreless while scoring just two runs in the 2-0 win.
The Dutchmen went up 1-0 in the top of the second on a sacrifice fly to left.
Lebanon Valley then went up 2-0 on with an RBI double to left in the top of the fourth.
The Golden Wolves had six hits on the day, but could not get anyone across the plate. They stranded eight runners on game.
Ally Decker pitched four innings in the loss. She struck out two and allowed six hits.
Kealey Smith pitched three innings in relief, striking out one.
Sarah Reinert and
Morgan Psiuk each had two hits for Alvernia.
Alvernia's tournament appearance comes to an end with the loss. The Golden Wolves will await a bid to the ECAC tournament, which will be announced on Monday.
