Reading, Pa. (April 25, 2023) - Thomas Faggioni hit a go-ahead homer in the bottom of the seventh to lead Alvernia University (25-12) to a 5-4 win over Rutgers-Camden (25-15) in a back and forth game on Tuesday evening in non-conference baseball action at Alvernia.

Rutgers-Camden struck first as Jake Gugliemi reached on an error in the top of the second and came around to score on an RBI single later in the inning.

The Golden Wolves responded in their half of second as Brandon Smith led off the inning with a single to right field. Jason Lind then came up to bat with one out and hammered a homer to deep center field to put Alvernia ahead, 2-1.

Alvernia had a runner in scoring position in the fourth in an attempt to tack onto its lead, but Rutgers ended the threat on a flyout and a strikeout.

The Raptors evened it up in the top of the second as Chris Bonafiglia singled through the right side with two outs to score the runner on second and even the game up at 2-2. Rutgers kept the two-out rally going, taking the lead, 4-2, on two bases-loaded walks. Joe Scarfone then came in in relief to end the inning with a first-pitch infield fly out.

Alvernia got one back in the bottom of the sixth. Mike Ramundo led off the inning reaching second on a double by the left fielder and advanced to third on a ground out by Brandon Smith. Ramundo then came around to score on a sac fly by Connor Friede and make it a 4-3 game in favor of Rutgers.

The Golden Wolves retook the lead in the bottom of the seventh. Nick Nutile led off the inning with an infield single. Faggioni then smacked a two-run homer into the Alvernia bullpen to put the Golden Wolves up 5-4.

Alvernia again threatened in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded and one out. But, Rutgers retired the next two batters to end the threat and keep it a one run game, 5-4.

The Raptors had the game-tying run on first with one out and moved him to second on a stolen base with two outs on the board, but Michael Andrew struck out the final batter to seal the 5-4 win.

Faggioni led Alvernia with three hits on four at bats and two RBIs. Lind finished with two hits and two RBIs.

Jack Cossa got the start on the mound, going five and two thirds and striking out four. Brody DeGroodt got the win in relief. Andrew picked up the save in the final inning of work.

Alvernia is back in action on Friday at Lebanon Valley to kick off the final conference series of the regular season.