ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University softball team advances to the inaugural Atlantic East Conference Championship with an 8-0 win over Marywood University in five innings on Saturday morning.
 
The Knights opened the game with four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Grace Sperrazza led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Bri Lagroteria. With the bases loaded, Kate Korte' stepped to the plate and hit a two-run single. Kierstin Fallers and Vanessa Bowen followed with back-to-back RBI hits.
 
Fallers scored the fifth run in the third inning as she scored on a double by Rachel Albertson. Sperrazza led off the fourth inning with a double and came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Jackie Selby. Jackie Schneider singled and scored on a triple by Korte'.
 
Heading into the bottom of the fifth, Taylor Naman walked to lead off. With two runners on, Nicole Wisser stepped to the plate and hit a pinch-hit double to score Naman and give the Knights the 8-0 win and send them to the championship weekend.
 
Jen Sieminski pitched 5.0 innings and allowed five hits and struck out four in the shutout win. Korte' went 3-for-3 with three RBI. Sperrazza tallied two doubles.  
 
Neumann (27-12) will host Wesley for the Atlantic East Championship next weekend. The first game will be on Friday at 4:00 PM. Saturday will feature game one at 10:00 AM followed by a game at 12:00 PM, if necessary.