ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University softball dropped its home opener doubleheader to No. 7 Rowan University on Thursday afternoon. Game scores were 5-0 and 10-2 in six innings.
 
In the first game, the Knights had a chance to strike in the bottom of the first inning as they loaded the bases with two walks and a single with one out. The Profs were able to strike out the next two batters to get out of the jam. The single by Jackie Schneider was the lone hit of the game for Neumann.
 
Rowan got on the board with an unearned run in the third inning. The Profs added two more in the fifth and the seventh for the 5-0 final.
 
Jen Sieminski struck out 10 in the complete game loss as she finished allowing five runs, four earned, on seven hits in 7.0 innings.
 
In game two, Rowan came out swinging and scored eight runs, half earned, in the top of the first as it sent 13 batters to the plate.
 
In the bottom of the first, Neumann responded with two runs. Grace Sperrazza reached on a passed ball after striking out. Autumn Passarello followed with a double for runners at second and third. With one out, Schneider hit a double to left center to score Sperrazza and Passarello.
 
That was all the offense the Knights would get in the second game. The Profs put an unearned run on the board and another in the sixth for the 10-2 final in six innings.
 
Haley Broomell started the game and went 5.2 innings. She allowed 10 runs, only four earned, on nine hits and struck out three. Michaela Pembleton pitched the final out in the top of the sixth.
 
Passarello and Becky Guinto each finished the game with two hits, a single and a double.
 
Neumann (3-7) will open conference action on Saturday as its heads to Cedar Crest for a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 1:00 PM.