ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University softball team defeated Alvernia University 3-2 on Thursday afternoon in an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) first round contest.
Jen Sieminski started the game in the circle and went 4+ innings. She allowed two runs on 10 hits in the no decision.
Nicole Wisser went 3.0 scoreless innings for the win and allowed three hits.
Kierstin Fallers went 2-for-2 and scored two runs.
Jackie Selby and
Grace Sperrazza also tallied two hits each.
Alvernia opened the game with double and came around to score for an early 1-0 lead. The Golden Wolves added a run in the top of the third inning for a 2-0 advantage.
The Knights got on the board in the bottom of the third. With one out,
Bri Lagroteria reached base on a three-base error by the Golden Wolves and came in to score on a single by Selby.
In the fourth, Fallers walked to lead off the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Brooke Figiel. With two outs,
Kristina Del Gaiso hit a single to left field to knock in Fallers and tie the game at two.
In the top of the fifth inning, Alvernia looked to take the lead back and put the first two batters on base. After a pitching change, the Golden Wolves loaded the bases with no one out. An infield fly, pop out and a ground out got Neumann out of the inning still knotted at two.
The Knights took the lead in the bottom of the sixth as Fallers led off with a single. Figiel bunted Fallers to second. With two outs, Sperrazza legged out an infield single and Fallers scored to put Neumann up 3-2.
Wisser sent the Golden Wolves were down in order in the top of the seventh to preserve the lead and get the win.
Neumann (30-12) will head to Erie, Pa. for the semifinals and championship rounds this weekend. The Knights will face Pfeiffer University on Saturday at 3:00 PM. Penn State Behrend, who is hosting the action over the weekend, will face Albright in the other semifinal game at 1:00 PM on Saturday. The winners will play for the 2019 ECAC Softball Championship on Sunday at 1:00 PM.
