Reading, PA - The Falcons fell in game one of their double-header with the Alvernia Crusaders on Tuesday 7-3. The Falcons made four errors in the contest that led to five unearned crossing the plate
 
Game One
In game one the Crusaders used small ball and the long ball to build a 5-0 lead through the top of the fifth.
 
Alvernia scored one in the third on a single to right after a sacrifice bunt moved the runner into scoring position.
 
In the fifth the Crusaders offense used two Falcon errors to put four runs on the board. A sacrifice fly scored the first run of the inning before a Ben Sawyer home run to right added two more. The final run of the inning came on a Falcon error and gave Alvernia a 5-0 lead.
 
In the bottom of the inning the Falcons would fight back scoring three runs and cut the lead to 5-3. With one out John Griffitts singled through the right side. Zach Brubaker followed with a double to left center, brining Griffitts home. Later, with runners on first and third and one out, Ben Sollenberger doubled down the right field line to bring in a run and put runners on second and third. A groundout to second plated the third, and final run of the inning.
 
Alvernia added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh extending their lead to 7-3.
 
In the sixth the Falcons threated to score with runners on the corners but could not push a run across. In the bottom of the seventh, Messiah went down in order and fell by a final score of 7-3.
 
John Griffitts led the Falcons' offense in game one with a 2-3 effort at the plate, including a double. Griffitts also scored a run.
 
On the bump, Zach Luman pitched five innings while allowing six hits and one earned run (five total runs) while striking out three. He was given the loss. Tyler Moody pitched the final two frames, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits.

Game Two
The Falcons got on the board early, scoring two in the bottom of the first when Joseph Saufley and Ben Sollenberger scored on Derek Drake's two-out single through the left side of the infield.
 
After Drake's early base hit the Falcons offense was held in check by Alvernia's pitching. Messiah only mustered three hits across the next six innings.
 
While Alvernia did not have too much offence in the second game either, they did manage to put together a big inning in the top of the third.  After Messiah walked the bases loaded, Alvernia used a sacrifice fly, a double, and a single on three consecutive plate appearances to score four runs and take a 4-2 lead.
 
Messiah had chances to cut into the lead. Particularly in the bottom of the third when – with a runner on third – Drake sent a long fly ball to center. Unfortunately for the Falcons, the Alvernia centerfielder made a diving, over-the-shoulder catch to end the inning and save a run.
 
The Falcons could not push a run across in the final six frames and Alvernia's four third-inning runs would be enough as they went on to win by a final of 4-2.
 
Joseph Saufley collected the lone multi-hit game for the Falcons in game two, going 2-3 with a run scored.
 
On the mound, John Griffitts collected the loss. He went three innings and allowed four runs on three hits while walking three. David Nicolais struck out three in 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief.
 
The Falcons will be in action on Wednesday when they travel to McDaniel to take on the Green Terror; game time is set for 3:30 p.m.