Winter Haven, FL. (Mar. 2, 2025) - Alvernia University (1-1) opened its 2025 season going 1-1 on its first day of its Spring Break trip on Sunday. The Golden Wolves dropped their opener to Bridgewater, but bounced back for an extra-innings win over Marian to close out the day. 

Alvernia fell to Bridgewater, 7-0, in game one of Sunday. The Golden Wolves then picked up their first win of the season with a walk-off 4-3 win over Marian in game two of the afternoon.

Game One
Score: Bridgewater 7, Alvernia 0
Records: Bridgewater (3-1), Alvernia (0-1)
Hits: Bridgewater 9, Alvernia 3
Errors: Bridgewater 0, Alvernia 1
WP: Evelyn Rhoads LP: Kelsey Racine

How it Happened

• Bridgewater got on the board in the bottom of the second on an RBI single to leftfield. The Eagles then took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third on a double to center, and made it a 3-0 game an at-bat later after a ball landed in a dead zone behind 1st base, allowing the runner on second – who was moving with two outs – to score.
• The Eagles tacked on a run in the bottom of the fifth on a bases loaded walk, but Alvernia limited the damage of the inning on a fantastic play by Payton Splain at third. Splain snagged a line drive right at her and tug out the runner on third for the double play.
• Bridgewater kept it rolling, adding runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to make it a 7-0 game. The Golden Wolves threatened the shutout in the top of the seventh on a one-out double by Meryn Bellacima. But, the Eagles retired Alvernia's next two batters to secure the 7-0 win.

Alvernia Offensive Leaders

• Alexia Fitzgerald: 1-for-2, 1 BB
• Brooke Hauck: 1-for-2, 1 BB
• Meryn Bellacima: 1-for-3, 1 2B

Alvernia Pitching

•  Kelsey Racine (L): 6 IP, 9 hits, 6 runs, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts
• Ashlyn Hillanbrand: 0 IP, 0 hits, 4 walks, 9 strikeouts

 
Game Two
Score: Alvernia 3, Marian 2 (8 inn.)
Records: Alvernia (1-1), Marian (0-2) 
Hits: Alvernia 7, Marian 9
Errors: Alvernia 0, Marian 0
WP: Ryaan Healy LP: Savanna Knuth

How it Happened

• Alvernia got its first hit and first runner in scoring position on a two-out double by Meryn Bellacima, but the Golden Wolves could not bring her home as the game moved into the third inning tied at 0-0.
• Alvernia again got a runner in scoring position in the bottom of third on a double to left field by Summer Montgomery. This time around, Alvernia was able to convert and take the 1-0 lead as Alexia Fitzgerald drove in Montgomery with a double of her own.
• Marian tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth on an RBI double to center, but Alvernia answered again in the fourth. Brooke Hauck led off the inning with a standup triple to the right gap. She then came around to score on the at-bat of Bellacima after beating the tag at home on a throw from short to give Alvernia back the lead, 2-1, going into the fifth.
•  Marian tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the sixth. The Sabres put a runner on with one out on a double to the right gap. That runner then came around to score on a wild pitch after advancing to third earlier in the inning on a groundout.
• The game remained tied through regulation, and Marian struck first in extras. With the international tie breaker runner on second, the Sabres bunted the runner over to third and then drove her in on a sacrifice fly to right to take the 3-2 lead. Alvernia prevented any more damage when Ryann Healey came in in relief and got the Golden Wolves out of a bases loaded jam.
• The Golden Wolves led off their half of the eighth with Fitzgerald as the designated runner on second. Fitzgerald moved to third on a fielder's choice attempt on Fitzgerald during the at-bat of Mady Polonsky, but she beat the play and found herself on third with no outs. Polonsky then stole second to put the game-winning run in scoring position during the at-bat of Angelina Sponheimer. Sponheimer then hit one through the right gap to drive in both Fitzgerald and Polonsky to secure the 3-2 walk-off win for the Golden Wolves. 

Alvernia Offensive Leaders

• Angelina Sponheimer: 1-for-4, 2 RBI
• Alexia Fitzgerald: 1-for-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 SB
• Brooke Hauck: 1-for-3, 1 3B, 1 Run

Alvernia Pitching

• Natalie Berwick: 7.2 IP, 9 Hits, 3 Runs, 5 Strikeouts
• Ryann Healey (W): 0.1 IP, 0 Hits, 0 Runs, 0 Strikeouts