ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University baseball team opened its 2021 campaign with an 18-1 win over the University of Valley Forge on a rainy and cold Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Knights pounded out 20 hits in the game. Ryan Lopez went 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored in his Neumann debut. Marty Cortellessa went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI. Shawn Vega was 3-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored in his first game as a Knight.
 
Will Hart started the game on the mound and picked up the win. He went 5.0 scoreless innings and allowed two hits while striking out eight. Tyler Szilagyi went 2.0 scoreless innings in his Neumann debut and struck out three. Brennan Hatala allowed a run on two hits and Pat Leighton allowed a hit to round out the pitchers.
 
After a 1-2-3 top of the first, the Knights got to work. Colin Pollard led off with a single. Lopez followed with a triple to score Pollard. Zach Ray then hit an RBI double and came around to score on a single by Cortellessa for a 3-0 lead after one.
 
Neumann added two more runs in the third as Vega knocked in Jose Romero. Cortellessa scored on a sacrifice fly by Andrew Fowler.
 
The Knights continued to add to their lead with four runs in the fourth. Vega hit a two-run double in the inning. Neumann then took advantage of some Patriots miscues and plated six runs in the fifth for a 15-0 lead.
 
In the sixth, the Knights started to sub out the starters and Phil Pfaffman doubled to knock in Vince Gambardella.  With the bases loaded in the seventh, Vin Vargas singled to allow Tyler Ramos to score. Marcus White then drew a bases loaded walk to score Alex Silverman as the 18^th run.
 
Neumann (1-0) will now prepare to open conference action next weekend. The Knights will face Gwynedd Mercy in the first series beginning on the road on the 26^th.