EWING, N.J.- The No. 23 ranked TCNJ baseball team dropped a home non-conference matchup on Tuesday to Alvernia University by a score of 18-15 in an eight-inning barn burner. The Lions (16-6) battled back into the game numerous times but were not able to find the go-ahead runs as the Golden Wolves (17-9) continued to apply pressure at the plate.
 
The game was called after the bottom half of the eighth inning due to darkness.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Following a scoreless top of the first, TCNJ jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on three hits and one error in the field. Alvernia matched the Lions' three in the top of the second on four hits and an error to tie it up at three.
• The Golden Wolves scored 12 runs over the next three innings compared to the Lions four, making the score 15-7 after the fifth. TCNJ had chances to keep pace but couldn't find the equalizer as they left eight total runners on base in those three innings.
• TCNJ started to put the comeback together in the bottom half of the sixth, scoring five runs on four hits with an error by Alvernia to bring the score back within three runs.
  • After back-to-back singles, an error in the field brought in Jack O'Donnell
  • A walk following the error brought up Mike LaGravenis who singled to through the right side, driving in Jack Haynes.
  • A Justin Marcario sac-fly to center field brought Zach Bowman home.
  • With two on and two out, Chris Reeder hit a big, two-run single to center field, driving in LaGravenis and Tyler Provost.
• Alvernia put up another pair of runs in the top of the seventh on four hits to pull back to a five-run lead.
• The Lions kept fighting back as they scored three more runs in the bottom half of the seventh, bringing the score to 17-15.
  • With the bases loaded and one out, Marcario dished out an RBI single to center, driving in Haynes.
  • After Provost took home on a wild pitch, a Fernandez grounder to short drove in LaGravenis.
• The Golden Wolves scored one more run in the top of the eighth before holding TCNJ scoreless in the bottom half, securing the 18-15 win.

 
STANDOUT LIONS:

• SS Justin Marcario: 4-for-5, 3RBI, 2R
• 2B Mike LaGravenis: 3-for-6, 3R, 1RBI
• 1B Ryan Goodall: 2-for-4, 2BB, 1RBI, 1R, 1HR
• LF Jack Haynes: 2-for-4, 3R, 1RBI, 1BB

 
UP NEXT:

• TCNJ baseball returns to the diamond on Thursday night as they're set to face off against Stockton at Trenton Thunder Stadium with first pitch set for 6:00 PM.