Philadelphia, Pa. (May 2, 2024) - #4 Alvernia University dropped its opening round of the 2024 MAC Commonwealth Championships to #1 Eastern University on Thursday evening at Penn Park as the Eagles downed the Golden Wolves, 5-0.

The Golden Wolves were held to just five base runners as Eastern's Danika Barthol picked up her 14th win of the season in the circle and lowered her already impressive ERA to 0.57.

Alvernia will now face #3 York College in an elimination game tomorrow at 3:00 PM. #2 Messiah defeated the Spartans 6-3 in the first game of the day. The Eagles will face #2 Messiah to start the day at noon. 

Score: #1 Eastern 5, #4 Alvernia 0
Records: Alvernia (23-15), Eastern (28-6)
Hits: Alvernia (2), Eastern (8) 
Errors: Alvernia (0), Eastern (1)
WP: Danika Barthol (14-2)  LP: Maggie Loomis (14-5)

How it Happened

• Barthol was dealing through the first few innings, striking out nine of Alvernia's first ten batters.The Eagles took a 3-0 in the bottom of the third with a two-out rally that saw Eastern score three runs on three hits.
• Alvernia had its first baserunner in the top of the fourth after Barthol walked Taylor McClain with two outs. But, Eastern forced a foul out on the next at bat as the game moved into the bottom of the fourth with the Eagles leading 3-0.
• Eastern added two runs to its lead in its half of the fourth with a run scoring on a single through the right side and another scoring on a sacrifice fly as Eastern took a 5-0 lead.
• A double from Brooke Hauck to lead of the top of the fifth broke up Barthol's no-hitter bid and put a runner in scoring position for the Golden Wolves. But, Eastern retired Alvernia's next three batters to end the threat. 
• Alexia Fitzgerald doubled in the sixth for Alvernia with one out and she advanced to third on a passed ball with two outs. But, Eastern again got out of the inning a flyout to keep the Golden Wolves off the board.
• Alvernia retired the side in the bottom of the sixth to keep it a 5-0 game going into the seventh. Emily Sano reached on an error to lead off the inning, but was throw out at second for the first out of the inning on the next at bat as Hauck reached on a fielder's choice. Hauck then stole second to get into scoring position and advanced to third on a ground out by Paige Paciolla as Eastern recorded its second out of the inning. Hauck then attempted to take home on a pitch that got away from Eastern's catch, but she was thrown out at home to end the game.

Offensive Leaders:
Brooke Hauck: 1-for-3, 1 double, 1 stolen base
Alexia Fitzgerald: 1-for-3, 1 double

Defensive Leaders:
Paige Paciolla: 8 putouts, 0 errors
Emily Sano: 4 putouts, 1 assist, 0 errors
Taylor McClain: 5 assists, 0 errors

Alvernia Pitching
Maggie Loomis (L): 6 IP, 8 hits, 5 earned runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts, 27 batters faced

Up Next

• Alvernia will take on York tomorrow in an elimination game. The Spartans and Golden Wolves split their regular season series last weekend - both games by a score of 6-5. The winner of the Alvernia vs. York game will face the loser of Messiah vs. Eastern in a must-win game.