Box Score Softball
Lebanon Valley 1, Alvernia 12 (5 inn.)

GRANTHAM, Pa. - Lebanon Valley had trouble figuring out how to deal with Alvernia in Friday's Commonwealth Conference tournament opener. The Dutchmen (25-14) faced a barrage of 17 total hits from the Crusaders (33-8) and were mercy ruled after five innings.

Alvernia put six runs up over the second and third innings before allowing a run in the bottom of the third. Tessa Deardorff reached on a bunt single, stole second, and came around on an RBI double by Kristen Palmerio for the team's only run.

Alvernia scored two more runs in the fourth and a final two runs in the fifth to have the game called in their favor.

The Dutchmen finished with six hits, including two by Deardorff. They had just runners reach second but none to advance farther besides Deardorff on her run in the third.

Palmerio (17-9) made the start for the Dutchmen, allowing all 12 runs - though just nine were earned - on 17 hits without a walk. She struck out one.

The Dutchmen will play Elizabethtown in their second game Saturday at 9 a.m. at Starry Field on Messiah's campus.