Reading, Pa (May 3, 2024) - Alvernia University (25-15) scored six runs in the first two innings en route to a 7-3 victory over Hood College (23-16) in game one of a MAC Commonwealth semifinal series Friday evening in Angelica Park. 

The Blazers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first but the Golden Wolves responded with four runs in the bottom of the first and then two more in the second to take a 6-2 lead. Hood then grabbed one back in the eighth but Alvernia answered yet again and tacked another on to secure the 7-3 victory in game one of the series. 

Score: Alvernia 7, Hood 3
Series: Alvernia Leads 1-0
Records: Alvernia (25-15), Hood (23-16) 
Hits: Alvernia (9), Hood (8)
Errors: Alvernia (1), Hood (1)
WP: Chris Sasso (6-3) LP: Joe Alexander (7-2) SV: Brad Coley (6)

How it Happened 

• The Blazers struck first in the top of the first inning after Stephen Sommer smoked a two run shot to right field to make it 2-0 Blazers. 
• The Golden Wolves answered right away with four runs in the home half of the first inning to grab the 4-2 lead. Jason Kelly started things off with a two RBI single down the left field line to score Quincy Esannason and Evan Thomas to tie the game at two.
• Ben Houghton then singled through the right side to score Kelly and then Houghton scored thanks to a Hood throwing error to make it 4-2 Golden Wolves. 
• Alvernia added two more in the bottom of the second when Thomas drove Logan Nelson in after an RBI single up the middle and then Thomas came around and scored on a wild pitch to make it 6-2. 
• Both Chris Sasso and Joe Alexander settled in and started cruising through the middle innings on the mound as there was not another run scored until the eighth inning when the Blazers made it 6-3 after an RBI single to right center made it a three run game. 
• The Golden Wolves responded yet again and matched the Blazers run in the eighth after Garrett Hunter flipped an RBI single to right to tack an insurance run on in the eighth and make it 7-3. 
• Brad Coley came on in relief in the top of the ninth and allowed two base runners but Coley fanned two batters and then fielded a ground ball back at him to secure the 7-3 victory and earn the save. 

Alvernia Offensive Leaders

• Kelly: 2-3 (2 RBI, RS, BB, 2 SB)
• Thomas: 2-4 (2B, RBI, 2 RS) 
• Houghton: 1-3 (RBI, RS) 
• Hunter: 1-4 (RBI) 

Alvernia Pitching 

• Chris Sasso (W, 6-3) - 7 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, BB, 6 K
• Matt Mays - 1 IP, H, 0 R, 2 K
• Brad Coley (SV (6)) - 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K

Up Next 

• The Golden Wolves host the Blazers tomorrow morning for game two of the MAC Commonwealth Semifinal series. First pitch is set for 10:00 AM with game three to follow if necessary.