The Misericordia University baseball team defeated Alvernia, 8-3, in their second matchup during the Florida spring break, Thursday in Fort Pierce, FL.
 
Shane Patten went 4-5 with three RBI and Gavin Dillard added three hits, including a double.
 
Matt Stone scattered five hits over five innings to earn the win and got relief help from Alex Porombo and Zak Lussier.
 
The Cougars struck first in the top of the first inning. Dillard smacked a two-out single to left field, moved to second on an HBP and scored on Patten's single through the left side.
 
Misericordia scored two more runs in the top of the second inning. Aidan Paduck walked and stole second. Joe Peters pinch-ran for Paduck and advanced to third on Michael Duda's bunt single.  Peters stole home with Duda advancing to third on the play.  Chase Parise drove in a run on a ground out to give MU a 3-0 lead.
 
The Cougars added one more in the top of the third. Bryant Diaz singled to center field and later scored on an infield single by Patten, putting Misericordia ahead by four after three innings.
 
Alvernia got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, but Misericordia answered back in the fifth inning. Dillard lined a double to center field and advanced to third on a fly out. Patten singled to center to make it 5-1.
 
The Golden Wolves scored the next two runs to get within 5-3 through seven innings.
 
Misericordia increased its advantage in the eighth inning. Daminger reached via HBP to start the inning.  He moved on a sacrifice and took third and scored on a wild pitch.
 
MU put two more runs up in the ninth inning. Dillard started the inning with a single and pinch-runner Ethan Elmes stole second and third.  Bryant Diaz, Patten and Daminger all singled to put Misericordia ahead, 8-3.