READING, Pa. – Despite a strong start, the Albright baseball team was downed 25-9 at local rival Alvernia in the MAC Commonwealth opener on Tuesday.
With the loss, the Lions drop to 1-17 overall and open conference action 0-1. Meanwhile, the Golden Wolves improve to 7-13-1 overall and 1-0 in MAC Commonwealth play.
Albright came out of the gates swinging as they tallied five hits in the opening frame.
Nick Sklenarik got the Lions rolling with a single up the middle.
Dylan Harlos stepped up to the plate and smashed a homer to give Albright the early two-run lead.
Josh Halye followed with a single through the left side.
Reece Adam then doubled and sent Halye home to earn the RBI.
Chris Thomas kept Albright's momentum going with a single as Adam circled home to give Albright a 4-0 lead. Alvernia got on the board in the bottom half of the first with one run on two hits and one error.
The Lions added to their lead in the top of the second as
Roman Berretta singled to get on base. Berretta moved to second behind a Sklenarik single and both advanced one base on a wild pitch. Halye then singled and brought Berretta home, earning the RBI and extending the Lions lead to 5-1. Alvernia found their footing in the bottom of the second as they posted six runs on four hits and one error to grasp a 7-5 lead.
The Golden Wolves kept their foot on the gas and tallied ten more unanswered runs through the bottom of the fifth inning to claim a commanding 17-5 advantage. The Lions finally responded in the top of the sixth as Sklenarik singled to lead off and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Harlos, Halye, and Adam all walked as Sklenarik scored and the Lions kept the bases loaded. Thomas reached on a fielder's choice and earned two RBI as Harlos and Halye both circled home.
Eddie Meredith then got on base on a fielding error while Thomas advanced to second. Both Thomas and Meredith moved on a failed pickoff attempt.
Ethan Karel brought home Thomas and reached on a fielder's choice to cut the Lions deficit to 17-9. Unfortunately for Albright, this would be their last run as Alvernia ran in eight more to claim a dominant 25-9 victory.
Adam Ferdock (0-2) receives the loss for the Lions behind 1.2 innings pitched and 15 batters faced. Josh Kreider earns the win after bringing the Golden Wolves back from a four-run deficit in the first inning. Sklenarik and Halye led Albright with three hits apiece while Thomas tallied a team-high three RBI.
Albright will conclude their series with Alvernia on Friday at 3:30 p.m. at Kelchner Field.
