Reading, Pa. (May 7, 2023) - After falling in game two, #2 Alvernia University (27-16) walked off a 7-6 win over #3 Widener University (22-20) in the decisive semifinal game three on Sunday at Alvernia to secure a trip to the MAC Commonwealth Championship. 

After Alvernia took game one of the best of three series yesterday, Widener evened the series at 1-1 with a 9-1 win to start off Sunday. Widener then led 6-2 in the fifth inning of game three before Alvernia scored five unanswered and walked the game off with an RBI from Mike Ramundo to center to win the series and secure a trip to the MAC Commonwealth Championship at #1 Lebanon Valley. 

Widener put up runs in four of the first five innings in game one of the day, taking a 6-1 lead on 12 hits through the first five. Widener scored a run in the first and second innings, and put up two spots in both the fourth and fifth innings to build up its 6-0 lead.

Alvernia got on the board in the bottom of the fifth as Zach Rogacki hit a double to right center to score Billy Dougar and make it a 6-1 game. But, Alvernia did not score the rest of the way as Widener added three to take the 9-1 game and even the series at 1-1.

Game two saw the Pride again get off to a quick start, taking a 4-0 lead through two innings. 

Alvernia began chipping away in its half of the second as Brandon Smith drove in a Ramundo in the second inning to make it a 4-1 game, and Ramundo drove in Thomas Faggioni in the third to make it a 4-2 game.

But, Widener extended its lead back to four runs after putting a run up in both the fourth and fifth innings to make it a 6-2 game going into the sixth.

Alvernia got its first two runners on in the bottom of the sixth as Rogacki walked and Ramundo was hit by a pitch. Jason Kelly then stepped up and hit a rocket to the left center wall for a triple to score Rogacki and Ramundo and bring Alvernia within two, 6-4. Alvernia then got within one, 6-5, as Connor Friedel drove in Kelly on a groundout to short. 

Matt Mays, pitching in relief, retired the side in the top of the seventh to keep it a one-run game.

Alvernia took advantage of back-to-back errors by the Pride to load the bases with no outs. Widener then threw a wild pitch to score Mike Mele on third and even the game up at 6-6. But, Widener got out of the jam as the Pride pitched three strikeouts to get out of the inning and keep the game tied at 6-6.

Both teams went scoreless in the eighth to send the game into the ninth tied at 6-6.

Widener threatened with a runner on third and two outs in the top of the ninth, but Mays struckout the batter for the final out to send the game into the bottom of the ninth at 6-6.

Alvernia had its heart of the order due up in the ninth, and Rogacki delivered with a leadoff double to start off the inning. Ramundo then stepped up and hit a walkoff to center field to score Rogacki and secure the 7-6 game three and series win over Widener. 

Mays pitched three innings in relief to pick up the win. Ramundo went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, including the game-winner, to lead Alvernia's offense. 

Alvernia will now advance to take on #1 Lebanon Valley for the MAC Commonwealth Championship. Game one of the best of three series is schedule for 3:00 PM on Friday at Lebanon Valley.