(Game 1) / (Game 2)
Despite a decided hits advantage in game two, Widener suffered a pair of Commonwealth Conference losses, 5-1, and 2-0 at Alvernia in Reading, PA.
Alvernia in game one got an RBI double from Lisa Seidler and a run-scoring fielder's choice from Danielle Kitchen in the bottom of the first inning for a 2-0 lead. The margin grew to 3-0 in the second on an RBI triple from Katie Manowski.
Widener got one run back in the fifth on an RBI single from sophomore Kristina Ostaszewski (Philadelphia, PA) for a 3-1 deficit. But the Crusaders scored two insurance runs in the sixth on a two-run single by Stacey Armacost for the final.
Manowski, Armacost and Miranda Peto all had two hits for Alvernia (19-9, 5-7 CC). Michelle Jensen (9-3) struck out six, allowing one run and two hits over seven innings.
Senior Kelsey Shultz (Parker Ford, PA) gave up five runs – three earned – and 10 hits over six innings for the Pride.
Widener in the nightcap rapped 10 hits that included a pair from Ostaszewski and senior Meg Phillips (Aston, PA). But the visitors left eight runners on base that included leaving the sacks full in the top of the seventh inning.
The Crusaders scored twice in the fourth on a run-scoring single from Jennifer Petrilla and an RBI single from Diane Lightner.
Shultz (10-10) was on her game, but saddled a tough loss despite only yielding just two runs and four hits over six innings.
Petrilla (6-3) allowed seven hits over five scoreless innings and Jensen got the final two outs for her first save of the season.
Widener (14-18, 4-8) falls into seventh place in the league, both in winning percentage and in the loss column. It trails Lycoming (6-6) by two games for the final spot in the four-team conference tournament.
Widener and Lycoming close the regular season Saturday with a 1:00 pm doubleheader in Williamsport, PA. The Pride's doubleheader Tuesday against Swarthmore was postponed and no make-up date was announced.
