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Alvernia University Athletics

240511_Ben
Marisa Lombardo
8
Winner Alvernia ALVERNIA 27-15
5
Messiah MESSM 34-10
Winner
Alvernia ALVERNIA
27-15
8
Final
5
Messiah MESSM
34-10
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 R H E
Alvernia ALVERNIA 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 4 8 7 2
Messiah MESSM 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 8 2

W: Coley, Brad (2-1) L: N. Barrall (5-2)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Nick Anderson (Athletic Communications Assistant)

Golden Wolves Complete Comeback, Take Down Falcons in Extra Inning Thriller

Golden Wolves Take 1-0 Series Lead over Falcons

Grantham, Pa. (May 11, 2024) - Alvernia University (27-15) scored seven runs in its final four at bats to come from behind and take game one of the MAC Commonwealth Baseball Championship series 8-5, over Messiah University (34-10) Saturday afternoon at Messiah. 

The Falcons led 4-1 after seven innings but the Golden Wolves scored one in the eighth and then Ben Houghton launched a game tying, two run homer to right center in the top of the ninth to knot the ballgame at four. The Golden Wolves then tacked on four more runs in the top of the 11th thanks to a Logan Nelson bases clearing, 3 RBI double en route to the 8-5 victory. 

Score: Alvernia 8, Messiah 5
Records: Alvernia (27-15), Messiah (34-10) 
Hits: Alvernia (7), Messiah (8)
Errors: Alvernia (2), Messiah(2)
WP: Brad Coley (2-1) LP: Noah Barrell (5-2) 

How it Happened 
 
  • The Falcons struck first thanks to a two run shot in the bottom of the first inning to jump out to an early 2-0 lead. 
  • The Golden Wolves halved the deficit in the top of the third after a double down the left field line by Garrett Hunter, Hunter then advanced to third on a wild pitch and was able to score via a Logan Nelson RBI groundout to make it a 2-1 ballgame. 
  • Messiah made it 4-1 in the fifth inning after another two run homer to push the lead to three. 
  • Alvernia grabbed one back in the eighth after two massive pinch hit, two out knocks from Evan Thomas and Jason Lind allowed a run to then score via a Messiah error to pull within two, 4-2. 
  • Ben Houghton then tied things up in the top of the ninth when he launched a two run shot into the right center gap to level things at four heading into the bottom half of the ninth. 
  • Matt Mays came on in relief in the bottom of the ninth and shut the Falcons down 1,2,3 to send the game into extra innings. Alvernia shortstop Bobby Hansen made all three defensive plays during the inning, including a spectacular over the shoulder catch on a pop fly to shallow left field to take a Falcon hit away. 
  • Both teams would go three up, three down in the tenth as the game headed to the 11th still tied at four. 
  • Alvernia then poured on four runs in the top of the 11th to take a four run lead. Senior Mike Ramundo started things off with a single to right field and then two hit by pitches put Jason Kelly and Houghton on to load the bases up. Hunter then wore the third hit by pitch of the inning to force Ramundo in and give the Golden Wolves their first lead of the game. 
  • Logan Nelson then stepped up to the plate and ripped a bases clearing, three RBI double into the right center gap to score all three runs and make it an 8-4 ballgame. 
  • Brad Coley gave up one run in the bottom of the 11th to make it 8-5 but it did not matter as Coley got two ground outs to end it and secure the game one victory for the Golden Wolves. 

Alvernia Offensive Leaders
  • Nelson: 1-4 (4 RBI, 2B, RS, BB) 
  • Houghton: 1-4 (2 RBI, HR, 2 RS, HBP) 
  • Hunter: 1-4 (RBI, 2B, 2 RS, HBP) 
  • Ramundo: 2-5 (RS) 

Alvernia Pitching
Of Note 
  • The victory gives the Golden Wolves a 1-0 series lead over the Falcons heading into game two tomorrow. 
  • Game Two of the series was originally slated for after game one but was pushed to tomorrow due to impending weather. 

Up Next
  • The Golden Wolves are back at it tomorrow at 12:00 PM as they hope to close out the Falcons and capture their fourth MAC Commonwealth title. 
  • Game three of the series will be played after the conclusion of game two if necessary. 
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