CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – The Neumann University Softball team dropped the opener of a non-conference doubleheader to DeSales University, by a 5-4 margin in eight innings. The Knights took the second game by a final score of 3-2.
Game one started as a defensive affair with the first three innings going scoreless.
Kristen Pagliaro led off the top of the fourth with a double into left field. Two batters later,
Elizabeth Shire moved her to third on a sacrifice bunt.
Maddie Tice drove her in with a ground out, giving Neumann a 1-0 lead. DeSales equalized in the bottom of the inning on an RBI double to right field. With one out in the fifth,
Alyssa Celi hit her first collegiate home run, a solo shot, giving the Knights a one run advantage.
The teams traded two runs in the sixth as Pagliaro led off with a walk and stole second. After
Ashley Leicht walked, Shire moved both runners up with another sacrifice bunt. Pagliaro would then score on an RBI sacrifice fly by Tice.
Kat Collins followed with an RBI single down the left field line, scoring Leicht for a 4-1 lead. The Bulldogs scored their two runs on an RBI single and an RBI fielder's choice.
DeSales tied the game in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single to force extra innings. In the top of the eighth, Neumann was unable to score with the bases loaded and two outs. The Bulldogs picked up the walk-off win in the bottom of the inning on a run-scoring error.
Pagliaro was 2 for 3 with double, a walk, and two runs scored.
Ashley Mazzeo got the start in the circle, going four innings for the no-decision. She allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out one.
Olivia Ammon was handed the loss allowing an unearned run on one hit.
Unlike the first game, the scoring started quickly in the night cap as DeSales took a 2-0 lead in the first with a two-run double. The game would then go scoreless all the way to the seventh inning. Celi led off by reaching on an error.
Emily Ammon followed by getting on via a fielder's choice and advanced to second on another error, which also moved Celi to third.
Bri Reim brough in the Knights' first run with a single and the Bulldogs' third error of the inning. After
Cioni Simmons hit an infield single, Pagliaro gave Neumann the lead on a two-run double.
Pagliaro, Simmons, and Shire all went 2 for 4 to drive the Knights' offense. Pagliaro added a double and two runs batted in. O. Ammon hurled a complete game for the win, improving her record to 4-4. In her seven innings in the circle, she gave up two runs, on six hits and three walks, while striking out one.
Neumann (7-18, 1-3 Atlantic East) will return to action on Saturday when the host Centenary University in a conference doubleheader. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 12:00 PM.
