Knights Salvage Split with Crusaders

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 PHILADELPHIA, Pa.: After losing today's opening game 4-2, Arcadia University got the best performance of the young season from senior Steve Romond who tossed a two-hitter as the Knights came back from a one-run deficit with three unanswered scores in the bottom of the sixth to earn a 3-1 win in game two over visiting Alvernia University Saturday at Erny Field.

Alvernia (9-6-1, 2-1 C'wealth) wins the series two games to one, but for Arcadia today marks the first time the Knights have defeated the Crusaders in Commonwealth Conference play in three seasons and gets the Knights in the win column in their first league series of the season. Up next for Arcadia in Commonwealth play is Elizabethtown, the defending league champions.

The Crusaders out-hit the Knights 8-4 in the opener and scored all four of their runs in the top of the third. Brian Witkowski homered to open the innings before Alvernia tacekd on three more scores. The Knights had their best chances in the home half of the inning and again in the bottom of the sixth, scoring one run in each with a pair of hits in both frames.

Senior starter Marc Gottfried (1-3) took the loss on the mound for Arcadia allowing 3 earned off of 8 hits and 2 walks while fanning 7 through 6 innings. First year Steve Sciortino pitched one inning in relief, fanning one on no-hits. Andrew Kirk was awarded the win for Alvernia.

Saturday's game two and third of the series saw Arcadia face former teammate Aaron Benusis, who transferred to Alvernia after his freshman season. Now a sophomore Benusis worked 5 and one-third innings, allowing 2 earned off 5 hits and 4 walks while striking out 6.

After three scoreless frames, Alvernia finally got on the board in the top of four, with Kevin Bailey homering off Romond for a 1-0 Crusader lead. Romond remained composed, eventually retiring after five with one earned allowed from two hits, two walks with one strikeout. Junior Jordan Hofferman entered and continued to hold the Alvernia offense at bay, walking a pair and striking out 1, improving to 2-0 on the season.

The Knights washed Alvernia's one-run lead away with a two-run single from junior Jay Zehring in the bottom of the sixth to put the Knights on top 2-1. That retired Benusis before junior Nick Petroski added an RBI sinlge later in the inning, giving the Knights the lead by a 3-1 count.

The Knight stand at 5-10 overall and 1-2 within Commonwealth play and move on to face Drew University this Tuesday, March 20 at 3:30 p.m. at Erny Field.

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