READING, Pa. (April 9, 2017) – Senior Michael Mule' delivered a two-out, two-run, eighth-inning single giving the Stevens Institute of Technology baseball team a 5-3 come-from-behind win over No. 11/No. 12 Alvernia Sunday afternoon.
Freshman Shaye Bartnick also drove in two runs for the Ducks and sophomore Donny Gherardi scored two runs as Stevens improved to 13-12-1 on the season.
Matt Briner and Cameron Coons had two hits each for the Crusaders, who fell to 20-4-1.
"Coming off Saturday's game, this was an extraordinary effort from our guys," head coach Kristaps Aldins said. "The bottom line is that our team wanted to play baseball today, regardless of how many hours on the bus it took. I couldn't be prouder of our team today."
P.J. Wiegartner was hit by a Zack Landy (0-1) pitch to lead off the eighth and moved to second when Carlos Leon walked. Matthew Pasko sacrificed to advance the runners. Donny Gherardi was hit by a pitch to lead the bases. After Garrett Wells grounded into a fielder's choice, Mule' drove Landy's first pitch into right field to score the go-ahead runs.
The Stevens comeback was needed after Alvernia built a 3-0 lead on a Briner first-inning single and a pair of unearned runs after a Leon throwing error.
Quinn DiPasquale pitched six innings, allowing one earned runs and struck out three.
Alvernia starter Jarrad Graver kept the Ducks off the board, scattering two hits over 5 2-3 innings.
The Ducks got on the board against Landy Antonio Baglivo in the seventh. Leon and Pasko walked to begin the rally. After a pitching change, Gherardi singled to left to spoil the shutout bid. After back-to-back strikeouts, Alex Detweiler walked to load the bases. Bartnick continued his strong freshman season, connecting on an 0-2 offering to score Gherardi and Pasko to tie the game.
"There's no question that [the two] two-out, two-run hits and Gherardi's RBI single were the key moments for us offensively, helping to secure this satisfying win," Aldins shared.
Drew Hanke (2-0) worked a perfect seventh to earn the victory. Charlie Ruegger pitched two scoreless innings for his sixth save, tying for third on the single-season saves list.
"Ruegger and Hanke were outstanding today, and had all of their pitches working versus an excellent Alvernia team," Aldins added. "DiPasquale also gave us six strong innings, giving our offense a chance to make up the 3-0 hole we got ourselves into."
Up Next: The Ducks head to Long Island for a non-conference matchup with Farmingdale State on April 12 at 3 p.m.