ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Baseball team and the Muhlenberg College Mules combined for 33 runs as the Knights took home the non-conference win by an 18-15 score on Wednesday afternoon.
The action got rolling quickly as Muhlenberg put together a six-run first inning as the strength of a two-run scoring error, and two run-scoring singles.
Brandon Colon led off the bottom of the inning with a single to center and moved to second when
Shawn Vega was hit by a pitch. Two batters later, Vega and B. Colon executed a double steal. B. Colon would then score on a wild pitch to pull Neumann within one.
In the bottom of the third, Vega led off with a solo home run, his team-leading fourth of the season.
Ryan Lopez followed with a walk and score on an
Isaiah Payton double.
Andrew Curran then walked and
Josh Finger hit a two-run single through the right side to make it a 6-5 game. The Mules didn't relent though as they picked up a run on an error in the top of the fourth.
Vega singled to left and stole both second and third to start off the bottom of the inning. Payton was hit by a pitch and proceeded to nab second. Curran followed with a two-run single to tie the game. He would later score on an error to give the Knights their first lead of the game at 8-7. That advantage was short-lived as Muhlenberg equalized in the top of the fifth on an error. In the top of the seventh, Muhlenberg exploded for a four-run frame, using an RBI single, a three-run homer, and a run-scoring error.
Neumann put together their own big-time inning after the stretch. Finger led off with a walk and stole second.
Tyler Kilmer walked and both runners moved up 90 feet on a wild pitch. B. Colon pulled the Knights within three on a two-run base hit. Vega singled up the middle and Lopez was beaned to load the bases. Payton blasted a grand slam over the wall, his third homer of the year, and Neumann regained the lead at 14-13. Pinch-runner
Thomas Carroll would later score on a wild pitch to close out the seven-run attack.
Nick Glebocki reached second on an error to start off the eighth, moving to third on an out. Vega was then hit by a pitch and stole second. Two batters later, Glebocki scored on a wild pitch. Defensive replacement
Morgan D'Amico drove in two runs of his own with am RBI single and an error. Although the Mules picked up a couple of runs in the ninth, the Knights were able to close out the win.
Vega had a monster game going 3 for 3 with a home run, a walk, an RBI, and four runs scored. He also stole four bases and is now the all-time leader in career steals in program history. Payton went 2 for 3 with a homer, a double, a walk, a steal, five runs batted in, and four runs scored. B. Colon finished 2 for 6 with a steal, two RBI, and two runs.
Gatlin Hovenstine earned his first collegiate win in relief, allowing just a hit and a walk in an inning of work.
Jack Valentine closed the game out for his third save.
Neumann (9-15, 0-6 Atlantic East) will return to action on Friday to host a unique "road" game against Gwynedd Mercy University. First pitch from Bruder Field is scheduled for 3:00 PM.
