Clermont, Florida (March 5, 2026) - Alvernia University (4-4) went 0-2 on its penultimate day of a stretch of spring break games in Clermont, Florida.
Alvernia fell to Alma, 3-1, in game one of the day. The Golden were held to just three hits in the game. Alvernia then led 3-0 through three innings against Neumann in game two. But the Knights scored 11 unanswered to down Alvernia 11-3 in six innings.
Game One vs. Alma:
Score: Alma 3, Alvernia 1
Records: Alma (6-1), Alvernia (4-3)
Hits: Alma 6, Alvernia 3
Errors: Alma 0, Alvernia 2
WP: Morgan Westall (4-0) LP:
Natalie Berwick (1-1)
How it Happened
- A single up the middle by Alexia Fitzgerald broke up Alma's no-hit bid in the top of the fourth. But, Fitzgerald was caught stealing on the next at bat to take her off the base path. Savannah Richards followed Fitzgerald and drew a walk after a lengthy full count battle to put a runner back on base with one out. Richards stole second and Angelina Sponheimer put Alvernia on the board with a two out RBI single to right to bring in Richards. Alvernia put another runner on with a single from Taylor McClain, but Alma got out of the jam and took a 2-1 lead into the fifth.
- Alvernia threatened again in the bottom of the fifth with two runners on and two outs. But, Alma forced a fly out to deep left field to get out of the threat.
- Alma tacked on one in the top of the sixth. The Scots led off the inning with a double to left, and she came around to score two batters later following a sacrifice bunt and a groundout to short. Alvernia got out of the inning to stay within two, 3-1, going into the bottom of the sixth.
- The Scots had two on with one out in the top of the seventh, but Alvernia got out of it with two ground outs to stay within striking distance heading into the bottom of the seventh.
Alvernia Offensive Leaders
Alvernia Pitching
- Natalie Berwick: 6.1 IP, 6 Hits, 3 Runs, 2 Earned, 1 Walk, 2 Strikeouts
- Ryann Healey: 0.2 IP, 0 Hits, 0 Runs, 0 Earned,1 Walk, 0 Strikeouts
Game Two vs. Neumann
Score: Neumann 11, Alvernia 3 (6 innings)
Records: Neumann (5-5), Alvernia (4-4)
Hits: Neumann 12, Alvernia 7
Errors: Neumann 0, Alvernia 3
WP: Marina Costello (2-1)
LP: Kelsey Racine (2-2)
How it Happened
- Alvernia struck early in game two. The Golden Wolves hit three straight singles to load the bases with no outs in the top of the first. Meryn Bellacima then hit a sac fly in foul territory to drive in Alexia Fitzgerald. Neumann retired the next two batters to get out of the inning, but Alvernia took the 1-0 lead.
- After a scoreless second inning, Alexia Fitzgerald led off the third with a walk. She moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt by Savannah Richards. Summer Montgomery then hit a single to the outfield to drive in Fitzgerald and give Alvernia the 2-0 lead. Alvernia kept it going in the third with Meryn Bellacime getting on via a walk and advanced to second on an Angelina Sponheimer single. Taylor McClain then drove in Bellacime on a double to left to give Alvernia the 3-0 lead.
- The Knights got two back in the fourth, scoring two runs on an Alvernia throwing error to get within one, 3-2. Neumann then evened the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth on a double through the left side.
- Neumann broke the game open in the bottom of the sixth. They opened the inning with a leadoff double, and took the 4-3 lead two batters later on a single through the side. The Knights took a 5-3 lead on a bases loaded walk, and took a 7-3 lead on a single down the right field line. An infield single back at the pitcher drove in another run, and a bases clearing double sealed the eight run advantage, 11-3, to end the game.
Alvernia Offensive Leaders
Alvernia Pitching
- Kelsey Racine: 5.0 IP, 6 Hits, 5 Runs, 3 Earned Runs, 2 Walks, 3 Strikeouts
- Ryann Healey: 0.2 IP, 6 Hits, 6 Runs, 6 Earned Runs, 1 Walk, 1 Strikeout
Up Next
Alvernia closes out its Florida trip on Friday. The Golden Wolves will open the day against Simmons College at 12:15 PM, and close out the week against Illinois College at 2:30 PM
