Reading, Pa. (April 26, 2026) - Alvernia University (16-22, 6-8) closed out its 2026 season on Sunday with a pair of losses to Messiah University (25-14, 13-1) in MAC Commonwealth softball action at Alvernia.

Alvernia honored its senior class of Meryn Bellacima, Natalie Berwick, Kalli Bunnell, Alexia Fitzgerald, Keana Noel, Gianna Ordanoff, Kelsey Racine, and Alexa Ullrich after the doubleheader on Sunday.

The Falcons rode an early lead in the first game to a 7-1 victory over Alvernia. With Alvernia trailing by just one run through three innings in game two, the Falcons blew the game open with four spot in the fourth followed by a seven spot in the sixth to secure the 16-4 win in six innings.

In game one, the Falcons wasted no time getting on the board, taking a 1-0 lead on an RBI single and a 4-0 lead on a 3-run homer to left field. The Falcons capped off the inning with a single up the middle to take a 5-0 lead.

Alvernia stranded runners in the second and fourth innings before getting on the board in the fifth. Lizzy Williams led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a groundout by Summer Montgomery. An Alexia Fitzgerald infield single scored Williams to put Alvernia on the board, 5-1. 

The Falcons tacked on two more runs in the seventh to come away with the 7-1 win. 

Alexia Fitzgerald led Alvernia's offense in game two with a 2-for-4 performance and an RBI. Kelsey Racine led Alvernia's pitching efforts, going six innings in the circle and striking out three while allowing two runs.

In game two of the doubleheader, Messiah again jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. The Falcons posted three runs on on two hits and an Alvernia error. The Golden Wolves got one back in the home half of the first. Savannah Richards reached on a bunt with one out and stole second. She then came home on a Taylor McClain double to left field to make it a 3-1 game.

The Falcons added onto their lead with two runs off of four hits in the top of the second. But, Alvernia answered back in the third to get within one. Richards got on base with a one-out single, and was joined on base by McClain after she reached on a walk. Bellacima then reached on a single to bring in Richards, and Angelina Sponheimer doubled to center to bring in McClain. Alvernia capped off the inning with a sacrifice fly by Williams to bring in Bellacima and bring Alvernia within one, 5-4.

Alvernia's threat did not last long as Messiah plated four runs on four hits in the fourth to take a 9-4 lead. Alvernia stranded a runner in the fourth and left the bases loaded in the fifth as Messiah took its 9-4 lead into the sixth. The Falcons then posted seven runs on eight hits to take a commanding 16-4 lead. Alvernia did not get a runner on in the sixth as Messiah took the 16-4 run in six innings.

Savannah Richards led Alvernia's offense in game two, going two-for-4 with two runs scored. Meryn Bellacima went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI, and Angelina Sponheimer went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

Today's pair of losses capped off Alvernia's 2026 season. The Golden Wolves finished the year with a 16-22 overall record and finished fifth in the MAC Commonwealth with a 6-8 conference record.