Reading, Pa (March 11, 2025) - Alvernia University (7-5) tallied two wins over Rutgers-Camden University (0-6) Tuesday evening in a non-conference softball doubleheader in Angelica Park. 

The Golden Wolves grabbed the 4-2 victory in the first game behind seven strong innings from Natalie Berwick in the circle. The Golden Wolves then squeezed out a 2-1 victory in game two thanks to a Meryn Bellacima RBI single to right in the bottom of the seventh to walk it off and secure the sweep for the Golden Wolves. 

Game 1: Rutgers-Camden: 2, Alvernia: 4
Hits: Camden: 6, Alv: 5
Errors: Camden: 1, Alv: 0
WP: Berwick (1-1) LP: Milillo (0-1)

How it Happened

• Rutgers-Camden took the early lead and tallied two runs in the top half of the first inning to grab a 2-0 lead. An RBI double down the left field line opened the scoring and then an RBI groundout tacked on another to make it 2-0. 
• The Golden Wolves responded immediately with a two-spot in the bottom half of the first inning to tie it at two. Meryn Bellacima started things off with an RBI groundout that scored Alexia Fitzgerald, and then a Scarlet Raptors error in right off the bat of Angelina Sponheimer allowed another run to score, tying the game up at two after the first inning. 
• Alvernia grabbed the lead in the bottom of the fourth after Payton Splain smoked a solo shot on a line over the center field wall to make it a 3-2 lead. 
• The Golden Wolves pushed the lead to two in the fifth inning after a Sponheimer infield single snuck into the outfield and allowed Brooke Hauck to score and make it a 4-2 ballgame. 
• Alvernia's starting pitcher Natalie Berwick surrendered just two hits over the final two innings to secure the 4-2 victory for the Golden Wolves. 

Alvernia Pitching: 

• Natalie Berwick: (W, 1-1) - 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, K

Alvernia Offensive Leaders: 

• Payton Splain: 1-for-3, HR, 1 Run, 1 RBI
• Alexia Fitzgerald: 1-for-2, 1 Run, 2 BB
• Brooke Hauck: 0-for-2, 1 Run, 1 BB

Game 2: Rutgers-Camden: 1, Alvernia: 2
Hits: Camden: 5, Alv: 7
Errors: Camden: 1, Alv: 2
WP: Racine (3-1)     LP: Friel (0-3)

How it Happened 

• Camden took the early lead again in game two and struck first in the top of the first inning thanks to an RBI single up the middle with the bases loaded. But, Alvernia center fielder Brooke Hauck made a great play to charge the ball, field it and then rifled in a perfect throw home to cut down the runner from second at the plate, which saved a run and kept it at 1-0. 
• Alvernia bounced back with a run in the bottom half of the inning after Summer Montgomery laid down a perfect bunt single and after a Camden throwing error, Alexia Fitzgerald was able to score from third and tie the game at one. 
• The next five innings were played scoreless from each team as both team's pitchers kept their oppositions in check, the game headed to the bottom of the seventh tied at one. 
• Fitzgerald got into scoring position in the bottom of the seventh after scorching a double into the right center gap and was then moved over to third after yet another perfect bunt single from Montgomery. Alvernia's three hole hitter, Hauck, was then intentionally walked which loaded the bases for the clean-up hitter, Bellacima. Bellacima then slapped a line drive into right field that got down and scored Fitzgerald from third to walk it off and give the Golden Wolves the 2-1 victory. 

Alvernia Pitching: 

• Ashlyn Hillanbrand: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER
• Kelsey Racine (W, 3-1) - 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER

Alvernia Offensive Leaders: 

• Alexia Fitzgerald: 3-4, 2B, 2 RS, 2 SB
• Summer Montgomery: 2-4
• Meryn Bellacima: 1-3, RBI, SAC 
• Brooke Hauck: 0-1, 2 BB, HBP, SB

Up Next 

• The Golden Wolves are off this weekend and are back at it on Tuesday, March 18th when they travel to Grantham, Pa to take on Messiah in their first MAC Commonwealth clash at 3:00 PM.