ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Baseball team picked up an important doubleheader split against Cabrini University in Atlantic East Conference play on Saturday afternoon. The Knights dropped the opener, 12-6 before taking the finale, 10-5.
 
Earlier in the day, the Knights took the opportunity to honor grad student, Isaiah Payton, along with seniors Bryan Taveras and Morgan D'Amico for their contributions to the Neumann Baseball program.
 
Game one started off rough for Neumann as they struggled out of the gate, giving up two bases loaded walks. Two more runs came in on RBI singles and another on a wild pitch. After a fielder's choice produced a sixth run, the Knights gave up a three-run home run, making the deficit nine. The Cavaliers added three more in the fourth on a groundout and two errors.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, Brandon Colon led off with a double into centerfield and moved to third when Josh Finger singled. Two batters later, Matt Mason hit a smash that bounced of the pitcher for a single, scoring B. Colon.
 
In the seventh, Finger led off with a single through the right side. Nick Glebocki was hit by a pitch and Colton Shaub doubled down the left field line to plat both Mason and Glebocki. Although Andrew Curran drove in a run on a sacrifice fly, and Joe Boccio hit an RBI double, the comeback stalled there.
 
Finger had the lone multi-hit game, going 2 for 2 with a walk and a run scored. Curran reached twice, going 1 for 2 with a walk, and an RBI. Gatlin Hovenstine was able to eat up the last three innings on the mound, allowing just a hit, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch, striking out two.
 
Game two was a more back-and-forth affair as both teams held the lead at one point. Mason led off the bottom of the first with a walk. After a fly out, Shaub and Curran walked as well to load the bases. Boccio reached on a fielder's choice, driving in Mason for the early lead. Cabrini was able to tie the game on a solo homer in the top of the second.
 
In the bottom of the frame, Thomas Elgrim was hit by a pitch and moved to second when Benny Licata walked. After Glebocki moved the runners up a base with a sacrifice bunt, Mason drove in a run on a groundout then Tyler Kilmer made it a 3-1 game with an RBI single to right. The Cavaliers wasted no time in equalizing when they got a two-run single in the third.
 
With two gone in the fifth, Curran lifting a single down the right field line. Boccio followed with a double down that same line, plating Curran for another Knights' lead. Cabrini again answered with a run socring on a passed ball and an RBI single for their first lead of the game.
 
In the seventh, Neumann retook the momentum, this time for good. Shaub led off with a walk, Curran was hit by a pitch, and Boccio singled to right to load the bases with nobody out. After a pitching change, AJ Nardo singled in a run to tie the game. Curran then scored on a wild pitch to grab the lead. Licata singled in a run and Glebocki followed with a sacrifice fly as nine Knights came to the plate to give them an 8-5 lead.
 
With one out in the eighth, Curran hit a double into left and scored on a Boccio single. Two batters later, Thomas Carroll picked up his first collegiate hit and RBI when he tripled to the right-center field wall, scoring Boccio.
 
Boccio led with a 3 for 5 game, with a double, three runs batted in, and two runs scored. Curran was 2 for 2 with two walks, and three runs scored. Vic Mejia picked up the win in two innings of scoreless relief. He allowed a hit and two walks while striking out one.
 
Neumann (12-15, 2-10 Atlantic East) will return to action on Tuesday when they visit Salisbury University in a non-conference game. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.