Reading, Pa (March 21, 2025) - Alvernia University (8-9, 1-3) junior Chris Sasso struck out 12 batters to lead the Golden Wolves to a 9-1 victory over Hood College (6-12, 2-2) Friday afternoon in game one of a MAC Commonwealth baseball series in Angelica Park.  

Sasso tossed eight scoreless innings and tied a career high with 12 strikeouts to shut down the Hood offense. Alvernia's Jack Zabarsky led the Golden Wolves with three RBIs, Jake Chapman added two and a triple and Timmy Hitchcock added two doubles as the Golden Wolves offense came alive to score the second most runs in a win this season. 

How it Happened

• The Golden Wolves got on the board first in the home half of the first after a two run double off the bat of Jack Zabarsky into the left center gap to put Alvernia up 2-0. 
• Alvernia doubled the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning thanks to a Jake Chapman triple that scored Mike Pulcini and RJ Emrich to put the Golden Wolves up 4-0. 
• Alvernia starter Chris Sasso continued to mow down the Hood offense and allowed just one hit over the next four innings as the Golden Wolves went into the bottom of the eighth inning with a 4-0 lead. 
• The Golden Wolves then tacked on five insurance runs in the home half of the eighth inning to push the lead to nine. A Hood error allowed the first run to score of the inning after Nathan Seidel opened the inning up with a leadoff double. Zabarsky then singled up the middle to score Logan Nelson to push the lead to 6-0. 
• Nicolas Piermarini then flipped a two RBI double down the left field line that scored Timmy Hitchcock and Zabarsky to push it to an eight run ballgame. 
• Emrich capped off the five run inning with an RBI single through the right side that scored Piermarini and put the Golden Wolves up 9-0. 
• Hood pushed one run across in the top of the ninth after a bases loaded hit by pitch but Matt Mays finished things off for the Golden Wolves with a strikeout to end the game and secure the 9-1 victory over the Blazers. 

Alvernia Pitching: 

• Chris Sasso: (W, 1-2) - 8 IP, 4 H, R, ER, 0 BB, 12 K
• Matt Mays: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K

Alvernia Offensive Leaders: 

• Jake Chapman: 3-5, 3B, 2 RBI, RS
• Jack Zabarsky: 2-3, 2B, 3 RBI, RS, BB
• Nicolas Piermarini: 1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, RS, BB
• RJ Emrich: 1-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB
• Timmy Hitchcock: 2-5, 2 2B

Up Next

• Alvernia travels to Hood tomorrow for games two and three of the MAC Commonwealth series with the Blazers at 12:00 PM.