FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Neumann University baseball team dropped a pair of games against competitive teams on Saturday at the Methodist Diamond Invitational.

In the Knights' first game, they topped by #1 ranked SUNY Cortland 8-6. A strong pitching performance from senior Kristian DeLuzio was not enough as the Red Dragons blew the game open in the 7th inning to put the Knights away.

Cortland wasted little time before coming alive, collecting three hits in the first inning to plate two runs.

The Knights jumped on the board in the second inning as Chuck Trentler drove a ball into the right-center gap, driving in two runs and knotting the game at 2-2.

Neumann took its only lead of the game in the top of the fourth inning, benefitting from a walk and a Sam Banks double which drove in Spencer Young.

Cortland regained the lead by scoring two runs in the bottom half of the fourth. After an explosive seventh inning for the Red Dragons, the Knights were able to tack on two runs in the eighth, however, the effort was too little too late.

DeLuzio went 6.2 innings on the mound where he struck out five. Kevin Giffin and Tyler Thomas also saw time on the mound.

Young led the Neumann offense with two hits and two runs scored. AJ Koscelansky added two hits of his own in the loss.

In the second game, Neumann fell to host Methodist 16-1. The Monarchs scored in all but two innings in the game. The Knights scored their lone run in the fourth inning as Koscelansky scored on a sacrifice fly by Curt Yenchik.

Matt Anderson started the game and went 2.2 inning in the loss. Edward Senlick, Chris Rupprecht and Bobby Sefick rounded out the pitchers.

Neumann (1-2) will face Marietta College in the final game of the Methodist Diamond Invitational.