OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Stevenson University baseball team rallied from an early deficit to secure a 5–4 victory over Alvernia in game one of Saturday's doubleheader and fell 12-4 in the second game.
Game 1
Alvernia struck first with a four-run opening inning, capitalizing on timely hitting to take an early lead. Stevenson responded in the second inning, as Levi Loughry delivered an RBI single to put the Mustangs on the board. The Mustangs continued to chip away, adding a run in the fourth on an RBI single from Kaige Garrity to cut the deficit to two.
The decisive frame came in the fifth inning, when Stevenson plated three runs to take the lead. Cole Reich sparked the rally with an RBI single before Collin Palmieri delivered the go-ahead hit, driving in two runs to make it 5–4. Palmieri led the Mustangs offensively, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored, while Shaun Rudick added two hits and a run.
On the mound, Will Heyse earned the win after tossing five innings, allowing four runs (three earned) while striking out three. Sommers Turner and Ari Lonstein combined for two scoreless innings in relief to secure the victory.
Stevenson finished with 10 hits in the contest.
Game 2
Alvernia jumped out early once again, scoring three runs in the opening inning and adding another in the third to take a 4–1 lead. Stevenson answered with single runs in the second, third, and fourth innings to trim the deficit to 4–3. Aj Viccora recorded an RBI single in the second, while Reich delivered an RBI double in the fourth to keep the Mustangs within striking distance.
The game turned in the sixth inning when Alvernia broke it open with a four-run frame, followed by three more runs in the seventh to extend the lead. The Mustangs added a run in the eighth on an RBI single from Tyler Deery, but were unable to mount a comeback.
Reich led Stevenson offensively, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Jaylon Surell and Landen Eyster each contributed two hits. On the mound, Charlie Wentker took the loss after allowing three runs in two innings, while the Stevenson bullpen combined to allow nine runs over the final seven innings.
The Mustangs return to action on Wednesday when they host Washington College (Md.). First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.