ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University softball team opened Atlantic East Conference action with a pair of wins over Gwynedd Mercy University on Tuesday afternoon. The Knights came from behind and took the first game 4-3 in 10 innings. Neumann then won game two 3-0 in six innings.
 
In game one, Rachel Albertson and Jess Sarni each had three hits. Morgan Fitzpatrick scored a pair of runs. Ashlynne Scardino improved to 2-0 on the season, going 10.0 innings and allowing three runs on six hits while striking out five. 
 
The Griffins struck first in game one, plating a single run in the top of the third. Gwynedd Mercy added two more runs in the fifth to take a 3-0 advantage.
 
The Knights got two runs of their own in the home half of the fifth. With the bases loaded, Fitzpatrick hit a fly ball to center field which dropped, allowing Kristen Pagliaro to score. Since the runners had to hold in case the ball was caught, the Griffins were able to get a force out at second base, however, Bri Lagroteria read the play and scored on the throw.
 
Down to their last out in the seventh, Fitzpatrick singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. The Knights then took advantage of a Griffins error as Elizabeth Shire put the ball in play and Fitzpatrick came around to score the tying run and send the game into extra innings.
 
As the game hit the 10^th inning, a base runner was placed on second base to start the inning. Scardino worked out of some trouble in the top half to keep the score tied. In the home half, Fitzpatrick was placed at second base to start the inning. Shire hit a double and Fitzpatrick moved to third. Albertson then hit an infield single, and Fitzpatrick scored to give Neumann the come-from-behind win. 
 
In game two, Sarni got the start in the circle and picked up her second win of the young season. She went 6.0 innings and did not allow a hit until the fifth inning in the shutout win.
 
This time the Knights struck first. In the third, Shire hit a sacrifice fly to score Lagroteria. Sarni followed with a single to score Fitzpatrick and give Neumann a 2-0 lead. The Knights added their third run in the fourth as Pagliaro doubled to score Lagroteria.
 
After the top of the sixth inning, the game was called due to darkness and the Knights came away with the 3-0 win.
 
Neumann (4-0, 2-0 Atlantic East) will head to Wesley on Friday to begin a home-and-home weekend series with the Wolverines. First pitch on Friday is slated for 3:00 PM.