Marywood 5, Neumann 3

Neumann 8, Immaculata 5

DRIFTON, Pa. – The Neumann University softball team split a pair of games at Day 1 of Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Championship on Friday at Drifton Sports Complex.

In the first game of the day, Neumann fell to Marywood 5-3. Lauren Strack knocked in two runs on three hits. Rachel Purpuro went 7.0 innings and struck out six.

The Knights scored the first run of the game as Callie Emel knocked in Nicki Spina.

The Pacers scored their five runs in the fourth and fifth innings and on two two-run homeruns.

The Knights added two runs on a Strack triple in the sixth inning. Neumann put runners on second and third in the bottom of the seventh, but could not get them home to tie the game.

The loss dropped the Knights to the loser's bracket where they would face the Mighty Macs of Immaculata in an elimination game.

In the second game for the Knights, Neumann defeated Immaculata 8-5 to stay alive. Emel had three hits in the game. Brittany Campbell went 7.0 innings and struck out three for the win.

The Mighty Macs scored a run in the first inning. Crystal Perlman put the Knights ahead 2-1 with a two-run double in the second. Neumann then put four runs in the board in the third inning, highlighted by a solo homerun by Kim Kirkpatrick.

Neumann added two insurance runs in the sixth inning. Immaculata did not go quietly and scored three runs in the top of the seventh, but could not make the comeback.

Neumann is now 28-12 on the season. The Knights will meet Marywood again tomorrow at 10 a.m.