Box Score
SALEM, Va. – The Neumann University softball team overcame an early 4-0 deficit to defeat Lynchburg College, 6-5, in nine innings on Friday afternoon in the NCAA Regional Softball Tournament.
Allie White hit a bloop single over third base in the bottom of the ninth inning to score Crystal Perlman and send Neumann onto play on Saturday. Perlman started the ninth inning with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice by Katie Halter.
Lauren Wilkie went all 9.0 innings for the win. She allowed five runs, three earned, and struck out five. Two hits and four run, three earned, all came in the first inning.
Lynchburg took advantage of some walks in the first inning for an early 4-0 lead.
Neumann started its comeback in the bottom of the second when Jacki Herrington and Mariah Ripken drew walks to start. With one out, Halter singled to load the bases. Becca Reinhart hit an RBI single with two outs to score Herrington and put the Knights on the board.
In the fourth inning, Ripken singled and Perlman doubled for runners on second and third with no one out. Halter then singled to score Ripken and Perlman for a 4-3 game. The Hornets got one run back in the top of the fifth for a 5-3 game.
In the bottom of the sixth, White led off with a single and went to second on a sacrifice by Reinhart. Danielle Grayson walked for runners on first and second with one out. Callie Emel singled to score White and runners ended up at second and third. Herrington then singled to score Grayson and tie the score. Emel was thrown out at home, trying to take the lead.
In the top of the ninth, the Hornet loaded the bases with one out. A line drive was hit to shortstop where Halter jumped to get a glove on the ball. It popped out, but Halter saw it and grabbed the ball before it hit the ground for the out. Halter then threw to Emel to double-up the runner at third base and end the threat.
Perlman then started the bottom of the ninth with a double to set up the dramatic ending.
Neumann (30-15) will face either Salisbury or Christopher Newport on Saturday at 12:00 AM.
