READING, Pa. (Apr. 24, 2017) – The Widener University softball team dropped a Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth game to Alvernia by a 4-3 decision on Monday afternoon at Angelica Park.
 
Junior Katie Sterling (Middletown, Del.) put the Pride on the board in the top of the first when she singled in freshman Jamie Gosselin (Abington, Pa.), but the Crusaders responded by plating three runs in the bottom of the second to establish control. Emily Carmella and Analise Fouracre each recorded RBI hits to put the hosts ahead before Brianna DePriest reached on an error to double the advantage. Alvernia then tacked on another run in the fourth when DePriest was issued a walk with the bases loaded.
 
Widener, however, clawed back and sliced the deficit down to a single run by scoring twice in the fifth on a two-run double by senior Ally Horvath (Chalfont, Pa.). The visitors had additional chances and placed the go-ahead run on base with two outs in the top of the seventh, but Crusader pitcher Brittany Brown forced the next Widener batter to hit into a fielder's choice. Senior Nicole Burt (Staten Island, N.Y.) was thrown out at third, which allowed the hosts to hang on for the win.
 
Brown went the distance to earn the victory for Alvernia in the circle and improved to 6-4 on the season. She allowed six hits and three runs, including two earned, while striking out four and issuing three walks. Pride junior Katie Rabuck (Hegins, Pa.) was tagged with the loss and dropped to 9-4 after surrendering four hits and three runs, including two earned, before being relieved.
 
Widener (22-8, MAC Commonwealth 9-3), which has already punched its ticket to the conference tournament for the fourth straight season, is next slated to host Lebanon Valley for a twinbill on Wednesday, Apr. 26 at 4:00 p.m.