Annville, Pa. (May 12, 2023) - #1 Lebanon Valley College (27-15-1) used a four-run sixth inning to take a 6-4 win over #2 Alvernia University (27-17) in game one of the MAC Commonwealth Championship series on Friday afternoon at Lebanon Valley. 

Alvernia took a 1-0 lead after the top of the first before a two-run homer by Lebanon Valley in the bottom of the first gave the Dutchmen a 2-1 lead. Alvernia responded with a two-run top of the second to take a 3-2 lead. The Golden Wolves would hold the 3-2 lead until the Dutchmen put up a four spot in the sixth to take a 6-3 lead on Alvernia. The Golden Wolves got one back in the eighth, but Lebanon Valley went on to take the 6-4 game one win.

A one-out triple from Cameron Abele in the top of the first got things rolling for the Golden Wolves. Abele came around to score on the next at-bat as Zach Rogacki singled to right field to give Alvernia the 1-0 lead.

That lead did not last long as Shane Stossel stepped up with a runner on in the bottom of the second and hit a homer to left field to give the Dutchmen a 2-1 lead.

Alvernia responded in the top of the second as Brandon Smith hit a triple of his own with one out, and came around to score on a Billy Dougar single to even the game up at 2-2. Thomas Faggioni then singled through the left side to drive in Dougar and give Alvernia the 3-2 lead.

Alvernia's defense, behind the pitching of Evan Wood, held the Dutchmen to just one hit through the next four innings, but Lebanon Valley's bats came back alive in the bottom of the sixth.

The Dutchmen loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the sixth. Smith made a great play at home on a fielder's choice to prevent a run and record the first out of the inning. But, the Dutchmen evened the game at 3-3 on a bases loaded single and took the lead on a bases loaded walk. Lebanon Valley then scored two runs on a single to left field, but a heads up cut-off from reliever Shayne Ostrowsky caught a base-runner going for third to record the third out of the inning. But, the damage was done as Lebanon Valley took a 6-3 lead.

Back-to-back walks loaded the bases for Alvernia in the top of the eighth with two outs, and Dougar was hit by a pitch to get a run back for Alvernia. But, Lebanon Valley was able to force a groundout to get out of the jam and maintain a two run lead.

Alvernia retired the side in order in the bottom of the eighth to stay within two, but the Dutchmen did the same to Alvernia in the top of the ninth to take the 6-4 win over Alvernia.

Rogacki went 3-for-5 for Alvernia with an RBI, and Dougar went 2-for-3 with two RBIs to lead Alvernia's offense.

The MAC Commonwealth Championship series is a best of three series. Alvernia must win out tomorrow to claim the title. Game two of the series gets underway at noon at Lebanon Valley. The if necessary game would follow.