AUBURNDALE, Fla. – The Neumann University baseball split a doubleheader with King's College (Pa.) on Friday on the final day of its spring break trip. The Knights won the first game 5-2 before falling 15-12 in the second game.
 
In the first game, the Monarchs hit two early solo homeruns for a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the third, the Knights plated five runs. Danny Padilla hit a two-run double to tie the game at two. Jake Urena then doubled to knock in Padilla and give Neumann the lead. Joe Murray gave Neumann some insurance runs on a two-run double.
 
Billy Hunt pitched the complete game for the win. He allowed two runs on four hits and struck out 12 over seven innings.
 
In game two, Andrew La Rosa led off the game with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Zach Ray. Padilla then doubled and scored on a single by Murray.
 
The Monarchs used a double and grand slam to plate seven runs in the bottom of the first. King's added two more in the second and four in the third for a 13-2 lead.
 
In the top of the fourth, the Knights strung together key hits and played 10 runs in the inning to pull within one, 13-12. Donnie Weaver hit a three-run homerun in the inning.
 
King's added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth, which would cap the scoring for the game.
 
Josh Cruz started the game. Pat Leighton went 1.2 innings in relief. Brennan Hatala pitched the final 3.1 innings. The trio struck out 11 in the game. Ray finished the game with three hits and three RBI. Murray added three knocks.
 
Neumann (4-4) will head back north and will open its home schedule on Monday when it hosts Rutgers-Camden. First pitch is slated for 3:00 PM.