GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- The Gwynedd Mercy University Baseball team defeated Alvernia University, 4-3, on Wednesday afternoon in the 52nd meeting between both teams.

Freshman pitcher Zach Dennis earned the victory throwing seven scoreless innings while striking out three and retiring fifteen of the last sixteen batters he faced. Dave Tatoian was 2-for-4 with a double and a big two-run single in the seventh as GMercyU broke a three-game skid.

The Griffins (10-8) took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning, capitalizing on two Alvernia errors. David Blount led off the frame by reaching on an error. He would later advance to second on a stolen base and come around to score on a two-out error from second base.

In the fourth, Austin Heimbach would score Shaughn Wright with a two-out single for the 2-0 lead.

Alvernia was able to get out of a bases loaded fifth inning jam but the Griffins would reload the bases in seventh and would capitalize on Tatoian two-run single to score Tommy Nardini and Justin Curtin for the 4-0 advantage.

The Crusaders would chip away at the Griffin lead in the top of the eighth, cutting the lead to 4-2 on a two-run triple to centerfield by Mike Cunningham. Cunningham would score on a passed ball to bring the game to a one-run contest. Mike Di Ianni was called in to relieve Nick DeRitis. Di Ianni would get a force out for the innings' first out.  Nardini and Curtin would then cut a run down at the plate on an Alvernia double steal attempt to bring two outs to the inning. Di Ianni would get a groundball to end the eighth and the threat.
Frank Chubb came on the close the ninth as he fanned two batters before getting the final out a fly out to right field to earn his first collegiate save in the victory.

Cunningham would finish 2-for-4 for Alvernia with 2 RBI's and a run scored.

The Griffins return back to action on Friday when they continue Colonial States Athletic Conference play when they host Keystone College.  First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. With inclement weather predicted, stay tuned to www.gwyneddathletics.com and our social media for updates.