ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University softball team split its home opener on Wednesday afternoon as it hosted Penn State Abington. The Lions won game one 5-3 before the Knights took the night cap 4-3.
Ashley Leicht had three hits in the first game for the Knights.
Ashley Mazzeo started the game and went 5.0 innings in the no decision. She allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits.
Ashlynne Scardino went the final 2.0 innings and took the loss. She allowed three runs on four hits.
Neither team scored until Penn State Abington plated single runs in the fifth and sixth innings for a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Leicht led off with a double.
Aubrie Breisblatt switched places with Leicht for a 2-1 game. Breisblatt scored on an RBI groundout by
Vanessa Bowen.
Elizabeth Shire scored on a sacrifice fly by
Bri Reim for a 3-2 lead.
The first four batters for the Nittany Lions in the top of the seventh reached base as they scored three runs in the top of the seventh to take back the lead, 5-3.
The Knights had runners on base in the bottom of the seventh but couldn't get the tying run across and fell 5-3 in game one.
In the second game,
Olivia Ammon went the distance in the circle for the Knights, allowing three runs on 10 hits and striking out five over 7.0 innings.
Penn State Abington took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first.
Neumann loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth. Leicht had an RBI groundout to score
Emily Reid.
Kristen Pagliaro then scored the tying run on a single by Breisblatt. In the bottom of the fifth, the first two batters singled.
Christina Ludovico then hit a sacrifice bunt and was safe on an error. Reim and Bowen both scored on the play for a 4-2 lead.
The Nittany Lions cut the lead to one in the sixth. Penn State Abington had a runner on base in the seventh, but Neumann held its ground for the 4-3 win.
Neumann (4-7) is slated to head to Widener tomorrow afternoon for a doubleheader beginning at 4:00 PM.
