READING, PA (April 26, 2011) - The Penn State Berks softball team was swept by visiting Alvernia University on Tuesday afternoon in a non-conference doubleheader at Hintz Athletic Field. The Crusaders won 13-3 in the opener and took the second game by a score of 16-0 in five innings.

The Nittany Lions (16-17) closed to within three runs in the fifth inning of the opening game, but the Crusader (21-9) wouldn't let them get any closer.

Brittany Hicks, who was honored before the game for Senior Day, recorded an RBI in the first game. Playing in possibly the final home game of her career, Hicks is the all-time leader in program history in at-bats, runs scored, hits, doubles, RBI and total bases.

Shari Lynn Kluth was 2 for three with an RBI and a run scored, while Casey Hafer added a single and scored a run.

Devon Denker threw 3 2/3 innings of relief in the first game, allowing only one hit and one run. In the second game, Denker allowed just two earned runs in the final three innings.

The Nittany Lions enter the NEAC Southern Division tournament on Friday morning as the No. 3 seed and will face Penn State Harrisburg. Wilson, is the No. 1 seed and will host, will play Gallaudet.