AMBLER, Pa. – The Neumann University softball team split an Atlantic East Conference doubleheader with the Gwynedd Mercy University Griffins on Friday afternoon. The Knights took game one, 3-2, before falling in game two by a final score of 8-6.
The first three innings of game one went scoreless before the Knights got their offense rolling.
Kristen Pagliaro led off with a walk and
Taylor Portzline singled into right field. Two batters later,
Ashlynne Scardino drove them both home with a double of her own, giving Neumann a 2-0 lead.
Neumann added to the lead in the fifth, starting with a one out single by
Emily Ammon. She then stole second and moved to third as the catcher's throw ended up in center.
Cioni Simmons followed with an RBI single to extend their advantage to three. Although the Griffins pushed across two runs in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run single, the Knights hung on for the win.
Scardino was a double threat as she went 2 for 3 at the plate with a double and two RBI and picked up the complete-game win in the circle. In her seven innings, she allowed two unearned runs on six hits and a walk, while fanning one, improving her record to 3-4. Simmons was 2 for 4 with a steal and
Cecelia Mick was 1 for 3 with a double.
Game two started with Neumann's bats already warmed up as E. Ammon singled and stole second. Simmons followed with her own single and after she stole second, three batters later, they both scored as
Elizabeth Shire reached on a fielding error. Shire would then score on an RBI double by Ashley Leight, for an early 3-0 lead. Gwynedd Mercy chipped away at the lead in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single.
After a scoreless second, the Griffins powered ahead in the third with a four-run inning, powered by an RBI single and a three-run homer. In the fifth, Neumann cut the deficit in half. With one out, Simmons singled, stole second, and took third on a wild pitch. She then scored on a Pagliaro groundout, but the Griffins retook a two-run lead thanks to a throwing error.
With an out in the sixth, Leicht singled,
Ang Sannicandro walked, and Mick singled up the middle to load the bases.
Emily DuPont hit an RBI single to center. Although the Griffins changed pitchers, E. Ammon drove in a run on a groundout, and the game was even at six. The tie didn't last as Gwynedd Mercy picked up runs on a two-run single in the bottom of the frame to seal the game.
Leicht led the attack in game two with a 3 for 3 performance, adding a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Simmons was 2 for 3 with a hit-by-pitch, two stolen bases, and two runs. Mick also contributed a 2 for 3 game in the finale.
Neumann (6-15, 1-1 Atlantic East) will return to action on Thursday for an Atlantic East Conference doubleheader against the Cabrini University Cavaliers. First pitch for game one at Bruder Field is scheduled for 12:00 PM.
