STEVENSON, Md. - Aaron Benusis scattered six hits and struck out six while allowing three earned runs over 7.0 innings while Alvernia scored eight runs over the first six innings en route to an 8-3 victory over the Stevenson baseball team in the Commonwealth Conference opener for both teams Friday at Park Field.

Seven different players had one hit apiece for the Mustangs (11-4, 0-1 MAC) who suffered just their second loss in 11 home games this season.

Led by leadoff doubles from Leon Stimpson in both the top of the first and top of the third, the Crusaders started quickly, scoring all the runs they would need in the first three innings as they led 4-0.

Stimpson finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored, scoring what proved to be the game-winning run in the top of the third on a sacrifice fly by two-time defending Commonwealth Conference Player of the Year, Chris Ray.

The Crusaders (8-3, 1-0 MAC), who were picked to win the Commonwealth Conference this season by the league's coaches, added a run in the fifth and three more in the sixth, highlighted by a two-run single by Kevin Bailey to take an 8-0 advantage after six.

Stevenson finally broke through against Benusis in the bottom of the seventh, tagging him for three runs on a two-run single by junior Ben Hallam (Glen Burnie, Md./Old Mill) and an RBI-double by senior Heath Johnson (Wilmington, Del./Charter School of Wilmington) to pull the Mustangs within five, 8-3.

However, that would be as close as the Mustangs would get as Alvernia's Louis Marotta and Kevin Baker-Menditt combined to allow just one hit over the final two innings.

Hallam's hit was the first of his career after he entered the game as a pinch hitter for freshman Davis Grove (Ellicott City, Md./River Hill). He finished the day 1-for-2 with two RBIs while Johnson was 1-for-3 with one RBI.

Junior Brooks Miller (Odenton, Md./Arundel) suffered his first loss in four starts this season, allowing 11 hits and eight runs, including six earned, over 6.0 innings of work. Freshman Trevor Fitzsimmons (Toms River, N.J./Toms River) did not allow a run while scattering three hits and striking out two over the final three innings in relief.

Stevenson and Alvernia will wrap-up their three-game series on Sunday with a doubleheader at Alvernia's Angelica Park. First pitch is set for noon.