SALEM - Mark Manthe's walk-off home gave Roanoke College a big 3-2 win against #11 Alvernia in a double-header at Kiwanis Field on Saturday.  The Crusaiders took game number two 6-3 after jumping out to an early lead.  Roanoke now has a record of 5-6, while Alvernia University sits at 1-1.

In the first game, Alvernia jumped out to an early 2-0 lead.  The Maroons did not respond until the fourth inning when Manthe singled and proceded to score off of a fielder's choice.  Roanoke scored again in the fifth as Manthe knocked in Amos who doubled in the previous at-bat.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the seventh as the first two batters popped up, and struck out respecitvely.  Then, with two outs, Manthe drove a ball deep over the left field wall to give the Maroons a huge victory over the 11th ranked Alvernia Crusaiders. 

This victory also marked the fifth consecutive win for the Maroons, which is the longest winning streak in the history of the baseball program at Roanoke.  Manthe went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI's.  Pitcher Mark Wimmer picked up the victory for Roanoke, throwing a complete game, giving up six hits, two runs and striking out six.

In the second game, it appeared as the Maroons had awoken a sleeping giant as the Crusaiders knocked down multiple strong drives from the Maroons.  The game remained scorless until the top of the third as Ray singled to left driving in Faria, which gave Alvernia a 1-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, the Crusaiders drove in four more runs, including a two RBI triple from Faria.  In the bottom of the sixth, Roanoke trailed 6-0 until Sburlati singled up the middle of the field which drove in Manthe from second.  In the next at bat, Lipes singled down the third base line that scored Clifton.  The Maroons trailed 6-2.  They brought in one more run in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn't enough to take down Alvernia twice in one day.

Five Maroons came away with just one hit in the second game, while Garrett Wrambel of Alvernia picked up the win, pitching four hitless innings.

The Maroons will travel to face Averett in Danville, Va. on Wednesday, February 29th.  That game will begin at 2:00 PM.

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