G1: Marywood 2, Neumann 1

G2: Marywood 8, Neumann 7

SCRANTON, Pa. – The Neumann University baseball team dropped a pair of game as it opened Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) play at Marywood University on Saturday afternoon. Game scores were 2-1 and 8-7.

In game one, the Knights scored first as Nick Martin knocked in Bobby McCormick in the third inning. Marywood responded with a two-run single in the home half of the inning to take a 2-1 lead.

Kevin Flanigan hit a double with two outs in the top of the seventh. Kevin Hopkins came in as a pinch runner, but was stranded and the Pacers took game one 2-1.

Matt Smith pitched six innings and struck out eight in the loss.

In the nightcap, Mathieu Vallieres homered in his first two at-bats to put Neumann up 2-0 in the early going. The Pacers then used a big third inning, collecting eight runs on six hits to take an 8-3 lead.

The Knights battled back with another run in the fourth and then made the game very interested by scoring four times in the seventh. Neumann had the bases loaded and two outs with the tying run at third base, but could not get the runner home and fell 8-7.

Chris McIntyre started the game and went 2.0-plus innings for the Knights. Mike Dicken came in relief in the third inning and took the loss. JJ Sims pitched the final three innings.

Vallieres had three RBI in the game on three hits. Ross Sweeney knocked in two.

Neumann is now 10-3 on the season and 0-2 in the conference. Marywood is 8-3, 2-0 in the CSAC. The two teams will complete the season series tomorrow afternoon back at Neumann. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.