READING, Pa. – The Albright baseball team shocked crosstown rival #11 Alvernia when the Lions defeated the Crusaders 5-1 Thursday afternoon.
Nathan Fretz and Jimmie Gentry teamed up to give the Lions a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Fretz led off the game with a walk, and Gentry ripped a RBI double to the wall to bring home his teammate for the early lead.
Fretz sparked the Lions' offense in the third inning when the outfielder opened the top half of the inning with a ground-rule double to left field. With two outs on the board,
Tanner Brescancine singled to right field to score Fretz and extend the Lions' lead to 2-0.
Albright would take a three-run lead in the top of the fifth. Fretz recorded his second extra-base hit of the game as he led off the inning with his second double to left field. Gentry followed his teammate by sending the ball through the left side for a base hit and advancing Fretz to third. Fretz raced home to give Albright a 3-0 lead on a wild pitch.
Alvernia responded by tallying its first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth. Kyle Gaynor singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Nathan Sides singled up the middle to bring home Gaynor for the Crusaders' lone run of the game.
The Lions added two insurance runs in the eighth inning on their way to a thrilling victory.
Jeff Yordy smacked a double down the left field line, and advanced to third on a balk from Antonio Baglivo. Brescancine drew a walk to reach base to give Albright runners at the corners.
Noah Beebe drove in Yordy, as well as advanced Brescancine to second, with his single through the left side.
Zach Krause followed Beebe with a single of his own as Brescancine and Beebe each moved up a base. A fielding error on the play allowed Brescancine to score the Lions' final run.
The Lions' offense exploded for 11 hits with Fretz, Gentry and
Austin Roth each having two hits apiece.
Alvernia had the leadoff man reach base in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings but key pitching stopped the Crusaders' threat.
Matt Fisher earned his first win of the season holding Alvernia to seven hits. Fisher struck out and walked a pair of batters over six innings.
Trevor Mastria recorded his second save of the season after striking out eight batters over three innings of work.
Albright wraps up the three-game series with Alvernia when it hosts the Crusaders for a Saturday doubleheader. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 12 p.m.
