Reading, Pa. (April 11, 2026) - Alvernia University (10-16, 5-5) dropped a pair of MAC Commonwealth games to Eastern University (19-5, 8-2) on Saturday in softball action at Alvernia's Angelica Park. 

The Eagles, who were receiving votes in this week's NFCA national rankings, took game one, 4-0. The Eagles allowed just three hits in game one. Alvernia took an early 1-0 lead in game two before the Eagles answered and took a 5-2 lead in the fifth. Alvernia threatened in the seventh, but came up just short as Eastern completed the sweep with the 5-4 win in game two.

Game One: Eastern 4, Alvernia 0

The Eagles took game one of the MAC Commonwealth doubleheader. Eastern limited Alvernia to just three hits across seven innings and did not allow a walk. 

After a scoreless first two innings, the Eagles got on the board in the top of the third. Eastern put a pair of runners on with two outs and took a 1-0 lead on a single through the left side. The Eagles then took a 2-0 lead on an outfield single to cap off the inning.

Eastern added two more runs in the fifth. The Eagles led off the inning with a double and scored two runs two batters later on a double to the left gap to take a 4-0 lead. Alvernia was limited to just one runner the rest of the way as the Eagles took game one, 4-0.

Natalie Berwick and Madison Velez split time in the circle for Alvernia. Berwick struck out two in four innings of work. Velez came in in relief and struck out four over three innings. 

Game Two: Eastern 5, Alvernia 4

Alvernia struck first in the top of the first inning, with Alexia Fitzgerald walking and making her way around to third before ultimately scoring on a passed ball to give Alvernia the 1-0 lead. 

The Eagles answered in the top of the third, leading off the inning with back to back singles. A sacrifice fly to left field put Eastern on the board, and the Eagles took a 2-1lead on a single through the left side. Eastern capped off the inning with an RBI double to left to take the 3-1 lead. The Eagles then took a 4-1 lead in the top of the fourth, scoring on a single through the right side.

Alvernia got a run back in the bottom of the fourth to cut Eastern's lead in half, 4-2. Taylor McClain walked to lead off the inning and moved over to third following an error and a sacrifice bunt by Summer Montgomery. McClain came around to score on a fielding error by the Eagles.

Eastern pushed its lead back up to three, 5-2, in the top of the fifth. The Eagles led off the inning with a single to right center. That runner came around to score on a bunt and an Alvernia error. 

Alvernia threatened Eastern's lead in the bottom of the seventh. Lauren Jascewsky reached on an Eastern error with two outs on the board. She came around to score on a double to the left gap by Angelina Sponheimer. Sponheimer then came home on a McClain single up the middle to get Alvernia within one, 5-4. But, Alvernia's comeback attempt ended there as Eastern grabbed the third out of the inning to come away with the 5-4 win.

Meryn Bellacima went 2-for-4 for Alvernia, and Taylor McClain went 1-for-2 with a hit and two walks. She also recorded a run and an RBI. Angelina Sponheimer went 1-for-4 with a run and an RBI.

Kelsey Racine got the start for Alvernia and allowed eight hits while striking out one in four innings of work. Madison Velez made her second relief appearance of the day, and struck out four while allowing just one hit in three innings of work. 

Alvernia is back in action tomorrow hosting Franklin and Marshall in a non-conference doubleheader. Action gets under way in Angelica Park at noon.