CLERMONT, Fla. – The Neumann University softball team battled to two wins on Wednesday. The Knights defeated Illinois College 5-3 in the morning game before hanging on for a 6-4 victory over New England College.
 
Against Illinois, Jennifer Sieminski pitched the complete game for the win. She allowed three runs on nine hits and struck out eight.
 
The Knights struck first as Grace Sperrazza scored on an error in the third inning. The Lady Blues plated a pair of runs in the fourth and another in the fifth for a 3-1 lead.
 
In the top of the seventh, the Knights loaded the bases. With two outs, Kierstin Fallers hit a single to right field to score Jackie Selby and Sperrazza and tie the game at three. Morgan Fitzpatrick followed with a two-run double for a 5-3 lead.
 
Illinois put the first two runners on base. Sieminski got the next batter to pop out and stuck out the final two for the 5-3 come-back win.
 
In the night cap, Nicole Wisser pitched 7.0 innings for the win. She didn't allow a run and struck out seven. Ashley Mazzeo made her Knights debut in the circle.
 
Neumann scored first with four runs in the third. Fitzpatrick knocked in the first run on a bases loaded groundout. Vanessa Bowen then hit a two-run single and Brooke Figiel knocked in a run with a double. The Knights added two more runs in the fourth for a 6-0 lead.
 
The Pilgrims made some noise in the top of the seventh inning and plated four runs. Wisser came back in the game, after leaving after the sixth inning, to get the final three outs.
 
Neumann (4-2) is back on the field tomorrow afternoon for a pair of games. The Knights will face Wartburg at 2:45 PM, followed by Misericordia at 5:00 PM.