CLERMONT, Fla. – The Neumann University softball team battled to two wins to start the 2019 campaign during its annual spring break trip on Sunday afternoon. The Knights defeated Saint Mary's (Minn.) 5-2 and then won against Augustana 11-6 in the nightcap.
 
In the season opening win over Saint Mary's, Kristina Del Gaiso tallied three hits. Kaylee Fiocca had two hits and two RBI in her first collegiate game. Jen Sieminski pitched a complete game for the win. She went 7.0 innings, allowed two unearned runs and struck out four.
 
The Cardinals opened the scoring in the top of the second inning as they capitalized on some Knights errors. In the bottom of the second, Neumann answered with two runs of its own to tie the game. With two outs, Jackie Selby doubled, Vanessa Bowen was hit by a pitch and Del Gaiso singled to load the bases. Fiocca stepped to the plate for her first collegiate at bat and ripped a two-run single up the middle.
 
Neumann added two more runs in the fourth inning. Del Gaiso and Fiocca hit back-to-back singles. Grace Sperrazza singled in Del Gaiso. Fiocca came around to score on a single by Bri Lagroteria.
 
The Knights added an unearned run in the fifth inning. Kierstin Fallers led off with a double and scored on an error by Saint Mary's.
 
Against the Vikings, the Knights came away with an 11-6 win. Sperrazza had three hits, three RBI and scored two runs. Lagroteria had two hits and knocked in a pair. Bowen scored three runs.
 
Augustana scored the first run of the game with a single tally in the bottom of the first. Neumann answered with five runs in the top of the second. With one out, Kate Korte' singled. Vickie Schneider followed with a double. Bowen then singled in Emily Reid, who pinch ran for Korte'. Sperrazza and Lagroteria both hit two runs singles in the inning for a 5-1 Knights lead.
 
The Vikings tallied three runs in the bottom of the third to get to within one, 5-4. The teams then traded runs before the Knights plated four runs in the top of the seventh to break open the game. Neumann took advantage of four walks, two hits and a Viking error for an 11-6 lead in the seventh.
 
Taylor Naman started the game and went the first 2+ innings. Sieminski came in in relief and went the final five innings for the win.
 
Neumann (2-0) is back on the field tomorrow for two more games in Florida. The Knights will face Northern Vermont-Johnson at 2:00 PM followed by Hanover College at 4:15 PM.