Reading, PA – After a week in Florida the Falcons played their first game north of the Mason Dixon Line on Monday afternoon when they defeated the Alvernia Crusaders 5-4 in Reading. Lead by a strong pitching performance by Steven Ridings the Falcons improved their conference record to 3-1 on the young season.
 
On the mound Ridings (2-1) collected his second win of the season while going eight innings. He allowed four earned runs while scattering eight hits and striking out six.
 
After a very quiet first two innings for both teams, the Falcons collected back to back walks in the top of the third. Jon Mullin then singled through the left side to bring home the first Falcon run of the afternoon. Just moments later, Benjamin Sollenberger laced a double to right center to plate the Falcons second run.
 
In the bottom of the fourth the Crusaders would even the score on the first two pitches of the inning. The first pitch of the inning was lined for a single to left before the second left the yard to straight away center for a two-run homer.
 
With the game level, the Falcons wasted no time taking back the lead. In the top of the fifth, John Griffitts led off the inning with a double to left center. Zach Brubaker ripped a two-strike pitch back up the middle for a base hit off the Alvernia pitcher's foot. The pitcher tried to collect the ball and throw out Brubaker but the throw got away allowing Griffits to score.
 
After Brubaker stole second, Mullin drove in his second run of the day with a double to right center. Later in the inning, Joseph Saufley brought home the Falcons' fifth run of the day with a triple to center field.
 
The Crusaders would collect consecutive hits in the sixth to plate a run and pull within two. Alvernia would threaten in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded. Ridings would limit the damage to a single run before recording the final out of the inning on a strike out.
 
The Falcons looked to add insurance runs in the top of the eighth, loading the bases with only one out but a strike out and a fly out ended the threat.
 
Ridings exited after eight strong innings and John Griffitts pitched a scoreless ninth inning to collect his first save of the season.
 
With the win the Falcons move to 3-1 in conference play on the season (3-5 overall). Due to an unplayable field at Messiah, the Falcons will travel back to Alvernia tomorrow to conclude their series with a double-header. While the double-dip will be on Alvernia's home field, the Falcons will be the home team. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.