Baseball Handed 4-0 Loss by Alvernia in Commonwealth Conference Tournament

(box score)

Widener ran into great pitching as it was dealt a 4-0 setback by Alvernia in the opening game of the double-elimination Commonwealth Conference Tournament in West Lawn, PA.

Alvernia's Mike Weinhold was in control over eight innings with an astounding 14 strikeouts, no walks and just two hits allowed in facing only two batters above the minimum. He retired the first eight hitters of the contest and then set down 11 straight spanning the third through seventh innings.

Top-seeded Alvernia (31-9) took a 2-0 lead in the last of the third inning. Brian Witkowski laced a single to right center and consecutive walks to Leon Stimpson and Chris Ray loaded the bases with one out. Bill Turner followed with a two-run single to left center that plated Witkowski and Stimpson.

No. 4 seed Widener (19-21) had a great chance in the seventh inning. Sophomore Matt Scherer (Havertown, PA) reached on a one-out infield single and took second on a wild pitch for the Pride's first runner in scoring position. But sophomore Marc Noyalis (Dallas, PA) struck out swinging and junior Michael Riverso (Philadelphia, PA) grounded out to shortstop.

The Crusaders made the Pride pay with two unearned runs in the last of the seventh. Chris Burns' single and Witkowski's sacrifice bunt that was misplayed by sophomore starter Robert Barth (Norristown, PA) resulted in two runners, who were advanced one base on Stimpson's sacrifice. With two out, Turner continued to haunt Widener with a pop-up that was dropped by Noyalis at third base, plating two runs and a 4-0 Alvernia lead.

Picked second team all-league, Barth pitched great over eight innings but unfortunately was on the wrong side of the ledger. He struck out six, allowing four runs – two earned – and five hits with four walks. Senior Matt Hone (Newtown, PA) had the only other hit for the Pride and Noyalis was held without a hit for just the second time in the last 31 contests.

Witkowski ended with two hits for the Crusaders.

Widener falls into the elimination bracket and will face either Arcadia or Stevenson on Friday at 11:00 am in West Lawn. The Pride, just like they did in 2010, will have to win four straight contests to win the league.

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