Grantham, Pa. (April 30, 2022) - Alvernia University (17-22-1, 10-6) earned the three-seed in the 2022 MAC Commonwealth Championship with a series split over Messiah University (20-19, 9-7) in a MAC Commonwealth doubleheader at Messiah. 

The Golden Wolves took game one 8-3 before dropping game two, 6-1.

In game one of the afternoon season-finale, Messiah took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second before Alvernia answered with three runs in the top of the third.

A single by Zach Rogacki drove in Lucas Floyd to even the game up at 1-1. A fielder's choice on Justin Ayala's at-bat drove in Billy Dougar to give Alvernia the 2-1 lead and the Golden Wolves capped off the inning with Brandon Smith driving in Rogacki on a single through the right side.

Alvernia kept things rolling in the top of the fourth with a four-spot. After Matt Edwards doubled down the left field line to lead off the inning, he came around to score on a Mike Ramundo sacrifice hit. Later in the inning, Rogacki walked to load the bases and Alvernia took advantage. A single by Rogacki brought in two runs to put Alvernia up 6-1, and Nick Nutile drove in Rogacki for the final run of the inning and the 7-1 lead.

Messiah got one back in the bottom of the seventh on a sac fly, but Alvernia pushed the lead back to six, 8-2, in the top of the ninth as Edwards drove in Smith.

Messiah scored once more in the bottom of the ninth for the 8-3 final.

Jack Cossa picked up his fifth win of the season with a six inning performance.

Dougar led Alvernia with three hits on four at bats, and Ayala led with three RBIs.

In game two of the afternoon, a pitching duel dominated the first four innings. Alvernia finally broke through with a solo homerun in the top of the fifth by Edwards over the left field wall. 

Alvernia held on to that lead until the bottom of the seventh when Messiah jumped in front with five runs on five hits.

Messiah tacked one on in the bottom on a squeeze in the bottom of the eighth.

Alvernia put a runner on second in the top of the ninth, but never threatened as Messiah took the 6-1 win in game two.

With the split, Alvernia is the three-seed in the 2022 MAC Commonwealth Championship. Alvernia will head to #2 York College on Friday for game one of a best of three series with the Spartans.