Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Softball
Lebanon Valley 3, Alvernia 2
Lebanon Valley 5, Alvernia 4

ANNVILLE, Pa. - Steph Hulme had two walkoffs on Saturday, though one likely hurt more than the other. Hulme singled in the game-winning run in game one and was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in game two, helping Lebanon Valley to an upset sweep of Alvernia.

Katie Deardorff celebrated a personal milestone, as she surpassed Ilyse Resnick in career stolen bases. Deardorff now holds sole possession of the record with 30 stolen bases in less than two seasons.

Steffani Secola also found individual reason to celebrate. She hit her first homerun of the season - a solo shot to left-center - that tied the game at 4-4 in the sixth inning of game two.

The Dutchmen (20-10, 7-3 CC) handed the Crusaders (24-4, 6-2) their first conferences losses of the season. Coupled with a pair of wins by Messiah, that knocks Alvernia out of first place. LVC moves from fourth to third.

Saturday was the team's annual Autism Awareness Day, where fans made donations and participated in a homerun derby following the games.

Game One

Though she allowed single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, starter Kristen Palmerio came out strong in game one. She allowed just five hits and three walks over nine innings for the win.

The Dutchmen were able to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run single by Chelsea Kehr that plated Secola and pinch runner Angela Harris.

Neither team could come up with a run in the seventh or eighth, mounting urgency for offense heading into the ninth. Tessa Deardorff led the inning off with a single to center and advanced on a bunt single by Katie Deardorff. Both runners tried to advance on a groundball by Allie Hartman, but Tessa Deardorff was gunned down at third leaving runners on first and second. With two outs, Hulme knocked a single to left-center to cement a win.

Katie Deardorff hit 4 for 5 in the game; Secola finished 3 for 4. Both women scored a run each. Kehr finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs.

The Dutchmen were able to hand Alvernia starter Brittanie Wolfe (13-1) her first loss of the season. She allowed all three runs on 17 hits.

Game Two

The Dutchmen looked to extend momentum into game two and started the game off strong with a three-run second inning. Secola led off with a single and advanced on a bunt single by Chelsea Detwiler. Both players advanced on a sac bunt by Alexa Maddy and scored on a two-run single by Kehr. Palmerio built the lead up to 3-0 with an RBI single to left later in the inning.

The Crusaders managed to score off of Palmerio in the top of the third but were held fairly silent until the sixth, when catcher Diane Lightner hit a three-run homer to left to give the team its first lead of the game.

Secola's solo shot in the bottom of the sixth inning tied the game at 4-4, and a spectacular defensive play by Tessa Deardorff in the top of the seventh gave the Dutchmen their chance at a win. With runners on second and third, Tessa Deardorff made an over-the-shoulder catch running full speed toward the fence to end the inning.

Palmerio made a bid at a game-winning hit in the seventh on a hard groundball up the middle that took a diving stop by Alvernia shortstop Katie Manowski. Manowski was able to make the out at second.

Later, with the bases loaded, Hulme was drilled squarely in the arm by a ball that seemed to get away from Alvernia reliever Deanna Dungee.

Palmerio (13-6) earned the win in the circle, allowing 12 hits and a walk through seven innings. She struck out two.

Dungee (8-2) earned the loss in relief. She threw 4.2 innings, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks.

Next up, the Dutchmen play at Ursinus Tuesday at 3 p.m.