READING, Pa. – The Arcadia University baseball team dropped a 5-0 decision at Alvernia University Friday to open a three-game MAC Commonwealth series. The Crusaders improved to 26-12 overall and 16-3 in conference play, while the Knights fell to 21-13-1 overall and 12-7 in league action.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: Alvernia scored all the runs it would need in the bottom of the second, going up 1-0 when Chris Burns scored on Ben Dubas' sac-fly before Nathan Sides drove in a pair of runs with a bases-loaded single. The Crusaders added one run in the sixth and eighth innings for the 5-0 final. Arcadia had chances to score but left nine runners on base, four of which were in scoring position.
 
ON THE HILL: Matt Backlund improved to 4-6 after scattering six hits over his seven innings of work for Alvernia. Arcadia senior Jason Goldberg took the loss, falling to 3-4 after allowing four runs (one earned) on eight hits in seven innings.
 
ARCADIA AT BAT: Six different players accounted for the Knights' six hits in the game. Senior Michael Nessel had the lone extra-base hit with his one-out double to left in the top of the fourth.

ALVERNIA AT BAT: Sides was 3 for 5 with three singles and three RBI to lead the Crusaders, while Dubas was 1 for 4 with two runs scored and another driven in. Ian Shaffer was also 2 for 4 with a pair of runs scored.