ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Softball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon against Atlantic East rival Gwynedd Mercy University. The final scores were 5-2 and 4-1.
 
After the first three innings of game one went scoreless, Gwynedd Mercy put up three runs in the fourth on an RBI single and a two-run double. They added two more in the fifth on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single.
 
Neumann tried to claw back in the sixth when, with one out, Taylor Portzline singled to centerfield. She then scored on an error that allowed Elizabeth Shire to reach. Shire was able to score on a throwing later but that's all the offense Neumann could muster.
 
Cioni Simmons led the offense with a 2 for 4 game. Sydney Wright was sharp in relief, allowing Neumann to stay in the game. She went 2.1 innings, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out one.
 
In the second game, the Griffins were able to score early as they got a sacrifice fly in the first. In the third, they doubled their lead on an RBI single. An RBI single in the fourth, and a run-scoring error in the sixth, made it a 4-0 game.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Portzline led off with a single to right. Shire followed with a walk to move Portzline to second. Wright then loaded the bases with a bunt base hit. Olivia Ammon got Neumann on the board with an RBI single to left but the offense stalled.
 
Portzline went 2 for 4 to pace the Knights. Simmons had another solid day, reaching twice in four plate appearances, going 1 for 3 with a walk. Shire and Alyssa Celi also reached twice with a hit and a walk. O. Ammon hurled a complete game as she gave up two earned runs on 10 hits while striking out two.
 
Neumann(13-23, 2-8 Atlantic East) will return to action on Thursday when they close out the regular season with a non-conference doubleheader against Rutgers-Camden. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.