Ashland, Va. (Feb. 18, 2024) - Alvernia University (1-1) opened up its 2024 season with a split doubleheader against Randolph Macon College (1-1) on Sunday afternoon at RMC.

The Yellow Jackets took game one 2-1, but Alvernia earned the split doubleheader with a 4-3 win in a darkness shortened game two. 

Game One
Score: Randolph Macon 2, Alvernia 1
Records:  Alvernia (0-1), RMC (1-0)
Hits: Alvernia 2, RMC 7
Errors: Alvernia 2, RMC 0 
WP: Gavin Tomlin (1-0), LP: Michael Andrew (0-1), Save: Sam Slevin (1)

How it Happened

• Alvernia got out of a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the fourth after starting pitcher Nick Ferraioli struck out the batter for the second out of the inning and Jason Kelly came in in relief and struckout his first plate appearance to get out of the inning.
• With the score still at 0-0 heading into the sixth, Alvernia broke the scoreless tie as Bobby Hansen scored Mike Ramundo on a groundout to the pitcher. Alvernia stranded two as the Golden Wolves took the 1-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth.
• The Yellow Jackets had the bases loaded with no outs through the first three batters following a two singles and a walk. Alvernia got the first out of the inning on a strikeout from Michael Andrew. The Golden Wolves then grabbed the second out on a strikeout swinging, but a wild pitch for the third strike led to one run scoring and a second Yellow Jacket came home on a throwing error as RMC took the 2-1 lead.
• Alvernia had a runner in scoring position in the top of the seventh with one out, but Alvernia's final two batters struck out as the Yellow Jackets came away with the 2-1 win in game one. 

Alvernia Offensive Leaders

• Jason Kelly: 2-for-2, 1 walk
• Mike Ramundo: 1 HBP, 1 run

Alvernia Pitching

• Nick Ferraioli: 3.2 IP, 5 hits, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO, 15 AB
• Jason Kelly: 1.1 IP, 0 hits, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 4 AB
• Michael Andrew (L): 0.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 2 AB
• Matt Mays: 1.0 IP, 0 hits, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 3 AB

Game Two
Score: Alvernia 4, RMC 3
Records: Alvernia 1-1, RMC 1-1
Hits: Alvernia 3, RMC 8
Errors: Alvernia 0, RMC 1
WP: Josh Kreider (1-0), LP: Wyatt Stanley (0-1), Save: Brad Coley (1)

How it Happened

• After a scoreless first inning, Alvernia broke things open in the top of the second. The Golden Wolves took a 1-0 lead on a bases-loaded walk by Jason Lind. Two batters later, Noah Waldron reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Ben Houghton to score. Bobby Hansen also scored on the play following a throwing error by the Yellow Jackets as Alvernia took a 3-0 lead.
• RMC got one back in its half of the second on a sacrifice fly to make it a 3-1 game, but Hansen made it a three-run game once again in the top of the third as he drove in Kelly on a bunt to third.
• The Yellow Jackets cut Alvernia's lead in half, 4-2, on a two-out double to the left gap in the bottom of the third.
• Alvernia worked itself out of a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the fourth, but RMC got one back in the bottom of the fifth on a single to right to make it a 4-3 game.
• The Yellow Jackets threatened in the bottom of the seventh with two on and no one out, but Coley forced an infield groundout and struckout the final two batters to secure the 4-3 win.

Alvernia Pitching

• Josh Kreider: (W) r: 2.2 IP, 2 hits, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO, 9 AB
• Chris Sasso: 1.2 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO, 5 AB
• James Mueller: 0.1 IP, 0 hit, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 1 AB
• Grant Fitzgerald: 0.2 IP, 2 hits, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 4 AB
• Ronald Kopcho: 0.2 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 4 AB
• Brad Coley (S): 1.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 3 AB

Game Notes

• Alvernia's win in game two is just its second win over the Yellow Jackets in the last ten meetings.
• Alvernia's three hits in game two's win was its least amount of hits in a win since Alvernia needed only three to defeat Hood in a 3-1 win on March 7, 2021.

Up Next

• Alvernia is at Stockton on Tuesday, February 27 for one final tuneup before heading to Ft. Myers, Florida for spring break. Alvernia defeated the Osprey 12-3 last season.