ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University softball team opened Atlantic East Conference postseason action going 2-0. The Knights defeated Gwynedd Mercy 11-0 in five innings in the first game. Neumann then defeated Marywood 3-0 in eight innings for a 2-0 record after day one.
In the win over the Griffins, the Knights exploded for nine runs in the second inning. With a runner on first and one out, Neumann tallied five straight singles to get on the board. After a fielders choice,
Kate Korte' hit a two-run single.
Kierstin Fallers, who led off the inning, hit a two-run double. The Knights ended up sending 15 batters to plate in the inning.
Neumann added two more runs in the fourth inning.
Vanessa Bowen walked to lead off the inning.
Rachel Albertson and
Kristina Del Gaiso then hit back-to-back RBI doubles.
Jen Sieminski allowed just two hits in the shutout win. Over 5.0 innings she struck out five.
Bri Lagroteria and Albertson finished the game with three hits apiece.
In game two, it took until the eighth inning for a run to be scored.
Jackie Selby led off the extra frame with a triple. She then scored on a sacrifice fly by
Jackie Schneider. Korte' followed with a single and Fallers doubled for runners on second and third. With two outs, Albertson hit a two-run single for a 3-0 Knights lead. The Pacers led off the bottom of the eighth with two singles, but
Nicole Wisser did not allow a run to score.
Wisser pitched the complete game shutout. She went 8.0 innings and allowed seven hits while striking out five. Korte' tallied three hits in the game.
In the other game of the afternoon, Marywood defeated Gwynedd Mercy 11-1 in five innings.
Neumann (26-12) and Marywood will face-off again on Sunday for the right to advance to the Atlantic East Championship next weekend. First pitch is slated for 10:00 AM. Should a second game be needed in the double-elimination tournament, that first pitch will be at 12:00 PM.
