STEVENSON, Md. -- The Stevenson baseball team (6-18-1, 1-1 MAC) split the MAC Commonwealth Conference opener against Alvernia (8-14-1, 2-1 MAC) Saturday afternoon at Sugar Field.

Game 1

Senior Matt Reich pitched a complete game for the Mustangs giving up only two runs on three hits with seven strikeouts. Reich dominated on the mound, retiring the first 15 batters he faced and carried a perfect game into the sixth.

Trevor Smoot went 4-4 at the plate with two RBIs and two doubles in the first 9-inning ballgame. Billy McAdam and Amani Jones each added base hits and two runs. Jonathan Brandt, Brandon Perillo and Dylan Scott all added doubles for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs took the lead in their first trip to the plate. With the bases loaded, Brandon Perillo sent a fly ball to right to score Billy McAdam from third on a sacrifice. Trevor Smoot followed with an RBI single to right to send Amani Jones home. Dylan Scott matched the effort with an RBI knock to center to score Jonathan Brandt to give Stevenson the early 3-0 lead.

Stevenson would add more insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth on a sacrifice fly to right to score Billy McAdam from third. Trevor Smoot knocked his second RBI single of the afternoon to right to score Amani Jones from third. A bobbled pickup on the play by the right fielder allowed Tommy Holcomb to cross the plate to give the Mustangs a 6-0 lead.

Alvernia added their first baserunner of the afternoon in the top of the sixth when Kyler Newton reached on a sun-battled error by the Mustang centerfielder. Newtown would cross the plate for the first Alvernia run on a bunt single by Billy Dougbar.  

Alvernia added one more run in the top of the ninth with a single up the middle from Brandon Smith to score Zach Rogacki from second.

Game 2

Stevenson again scored in its first trip to the plate, adding a run in the bottom of the first when Trevor Smoot drew a bases loaded walk.

 Alvernia would match the effort when Zach Rogacki also drew a bases loaded walk in the top of the second. The Golden Wolves took the 2-1 lead, scoring a run on a balk from Matt Kossey.

Stevenson notched the game at two a-piece with a two out single to right from Trevor Smoot to score Jonathan Brandt from second. Smoot was called out at second trying to stretch the base hit to a double on a strong throw from right fielder Tom Faggioni.

Alvernia cracked the game open, posting a six-run fifth inning. A sacrifice fly from Lucas Floyd gave the Golden Wolves the lead before an RBI. The lead was stretched to 5-2 in favor of the visitors when Brandon Smith doubled to plate two RBIs. Mike Ramundo notched three BRIs on a homer to left to give the Golden Wolves an 8-2 lead at the halfway point of the ballgame.

Stevenson chipped away, adding two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Brandon Perillo reached on a single before Travor Smoot doubled to put runners on second and third. Dylan Scott ripped a single down the third base line to send Perillo and Smoot across the plate, cutting the lead in half at 8-4.

The Golden Wolves added four more runs in the top of the sixth with RBI singles from Lucas Floyd and Tom Faggioni and a two-RBI single from Kyler Newton. 

Numbers and Notes

• Matt Reich pitched his fourth-career complete game and his first complete nine-inning game.
• Trevor Smoot notched four RBIs on the day in his 6-7 effort at the plate with four doubles.

What's Next

• Stevenson remains home to take on MAC Commonwealth oppenent York (Pa.) on April 5 at 3:30.