GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. – The No. 4 seeded Neumann University softball team went 1-1 in the first day of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Championship on Friday. The Knights fell to No. 1 seeded Gwynedd Mercy 3-0 in the first game. Neumann stayed alive with a 7-4 win over No. 2 seed Cabrini.
 
In the first game, it was a pitcher's duel through the first five innings. The Knights had runners at the corners in the top of the sixth inning, but could not get a run across as the Griffins grabbed a sinking line drive into left field to end the inning.
 
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning and two runners on base, the Griffins got a single to get on the board. Gwynedd Mercy then hit a triple to plate two more runs and take a 3-0 lead.
 
Jen Sieminski allowed just four hits in the loss while striking out 10.
 
In the second game, Grace Sperrazza opened the game with a single and scored on a double by Kara Grogan for an early lead. The Knights put four more runs on the board in third inning. Sperrazza led off with a double, followed by a walk by Grogan. Kierstin Fallers singled to load the bases. Jackie Schneider hit an RBI groundout. With two outs, Kate Korte' hit a two-run single for a 4-0 lead. Korte' would score on a single by Kristine Del Gaiso for the 5-0 advantage.
 
The Cavaliers scored a run in the third and three in the fourth to get within one, 5-4.
 
Brooke Figiel knocked in Autumn Passarello in the fifth inning for an insurance run. The Knights added an unearned insurance run in the sixth inning.
 
Sieminski started the game and went the first two innings. Taylor Naman went the next 1.2 innings, allowing our runs on six hits. Julia Casson picked up the save, pitching 3.1 hitless innings.
 
Neumann (23-15) will face Gwynedd Mercy tomorrow morning in the next elimination game beginning at 10:00 AM. The winner will advance to the CSAC Championship game against Immaculata at 12:00 PM.