Reading, Pa (April 18, 2025) - Alvernia University (21-12, 13-3) scored six runs in the second and five runs in the eighth en route to a 11-1 victory over Albright College (15-17, 3-13) Friday afternoon in game one of a MAC Commonwealth baseball series in Angelica Park. 

Alvernia's Chris Sasso tossed six innings of one run baseball, scattered just three hits and struck out three batters. Jake Umans came on in relief for Sasso and went the final three innings, allowed just two hits, fanned three batters and did not allow a run to earn the save. 

How it Happened 

• The Golden Wolves got things going early with a six spot in the second inning to grab the early lead. Timmy Hitchcock started things off with an RBI single up the middle and then Harold Ivery III recorded a fielder's choice to the second baseman that was able to score another run and make it 2-0. Ivery III then scored on an Albright error before Quincy Esannason laced an RBI double into the left center gap to score RJ Emrich and make it a 4-0 ballgame. 
• Jake Chapman added to the tally with a sacrifice fly to center field that was deep enough to score Mike Pulcini to make it a five run game. Logan Nelson capped off the six run inning with an RBI single to center field that pushed Esannason across the plate to make it a 6-0 Alvernia lead. 
• The Lions grabbed one back in the top of the third inning thanks to an RBI single to center but Alvernia starter Chris Sasso struck out the next batter to end the inning and preserve the 6-1 lead. 
• The Golden Wolves and the Lions would go scoreless for the next four innings with Sasso finishing his outing by allowing just one hit in the next two innings and Jake Umans came on in the seventh and got the Lions to go 1,2,3. 
• Alvernia tacked on five insurance runs in the home half of the eighth inning that was sparked by a Nelson bases loaded triple into the left center gap to extend the Alvernia lead to eight, 9-1. The Golden Wolves added two more in the inning after Gerald DeBalko stepped up and singled to left to score Nelson and then DeBalko scored on an Albright error to make it a ten run ballgame.
• Umans would shut down the Lions after a leadoff double down the left field line to grab his first save of the season and secure the 11-1 victory for the Golden Wolves. 

Alvernia Pitching: 

• Chris Sasso: (W, 3-2) - 6 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 4 BB, 3 K
• Jake Umans: (S, (1) - 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

Alvernia Offensive Leaders: 

• Logan Nelson: 3-5, 4 RBI, 3B, 2B, RS, SB
• Quincy Esannason: 2-3, RBI, 2B, 2 RS, 2 HBP
• Evan Thomas: 1-3, 2B, SB, SAC Bunt
• Jack Zabarsky: 2-2, RS, SB, 3 BB
• Gerald DeBalko: 1-1, RBI, RS

Of Note

• With the win, Alvernia moves to 52-8 against its rivals in the all-time series. 
• The Golden Wolves extend their home winning streak to seven wins against the Lions. Albright has not taken a game from Alvernia in Angelica Park since 2019 and have only beaten Alvernia three times at home. 
• The Golden Wolves have scored 480 runs against the Lions dating back to the 2006 season and average 10.21 runs per game since 06. 

Up Next 

• The Golden Wolves head to North Reading tomorrow to take on the Lions in games two and three of the MAC Commonwealth series at 12:00 and 3:00 PM.