Reading, Pa. (May 1, 2021) - #3 Alvernia Baseball (19-10-1) advanced to the MAC Commonwealth Semifinal round next weekend following following a two-game sweep over #6 Messiah University (12-16-1) on Saturday in playoff action at Alvernia. 

Alvernia took game one 8-4 and followed that with a 10-7 win in game two.

The Golden Wolves got off to an early lead in game one with Kyler Newton and Mike Ramundo each driving in a run in the bottom of the first for the early 2-0 lead for Alvernia.

Alvernia then took a 3-0 lead after Nick Nutile was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

After adding a run in the top of the fourth and tacking on three more in the top of the sixth, Messiah took a 4-3 lead.

The Golden Wolves responded in the bottom of the sixth, posting five runs. Brandon Smith drove in a run on a single, and then Justin Ayala drove in two more on a single to center. Mike Cirilli and Nutile then drove in the final runs of the inning with RBI singles to put Alvernia back ahead at 8-4.

Messiah stranded five runners over the final three innings as Alverni was able to secure the 8-4 game one win.

Shane Ostrowsky picked up the win for Alvernia, going seven innings and striking out eight.

Justin Ayala led Alvernia with three hits and two RBIs.

In game two of the afternoon, Alvernia again took a lead in the bottom of the first.

Nutile drove in Cirili on a single through the right side for the first run of the game, and Kyler Newton then tripled to drive in Nutile.

Alvernia then took an 8-0 lead after putting up six in the bottom of the second. Cirilli drove in Billy Dougar on a double to right center for the first run of the inning, and then Nutile drove in two runs on a single to left. Ramundo then drove in Nutile, and Dougar then drove in the final two of the inning to put Alvernia up 8-0.

After Messiah got one back, Jason Lind scored in the bottom of the third to keep it at an eight run lead, 9-1.

Messiah threatened Alvernia's lead after scoring six runs over the 7th and 8th innings, but Alvernia was able to take the 10-7 win.

Simmerman picked up the win with a seven strikeout performance, and Cirilli earned a save in a pinch-pitcher situation later in the game. 
With the win, Alvernia advances to the MAC Championship semifinals where they will head to #2 Lebanon Valley for the first two games of the 3-game series.