ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Softball team upended Immaculata University in a key Atlantic East Conference doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon by scores of 4-2 and 10-2 in five innings.
After a scoreless top of the first of game one,
Cioni Simmons led off the bottom of the inning with a single into center field. She then moved to second on a wild pitch, and two batters later, scored on an
Alyssa Celi single. With two outs in the third,
Kristen Pagliaro singled up the middle and moved to second when the ball was muffed by the left fielder. Celi followed with another RBI single to make it a 2-0 game.
Immaculata tied the game in the top of the fourth on the strength of an RBI double and a sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the inning,
Sydney Wright walked with one out as well as
Alexis Palombi.
Cecelia Mick singled into left field to load the bases.
Emily Ammon gave the Knights the lead with an RBI single and then Simmons drove in a run on a fielders' choice.
Celi was 2 for 3 with two RBI while E. Ammon was also 2 for 3 with an RBI.
Olivia Ammon picked up the complete game win, allowing two runs and seven hits, no walks, and she struck out two. She improves to 3-6 on the season.
Elizabeth Shire, Pagliaro, and Palombi all contributed with stellar defensive plays to keep the Knights on top.
Game two started differently as it was the Mighty Macs who struck in the first with two runs scoring on errors. In the second, with one out, Wright singled through the right side and was moved to second when Palombi singled. With
Bri Reim trying to move the runners up on a sacrifice, Wright scored and then Palombi scored on another error. Simmons followed with a bunt base hit and then Pagliaro drove in a run on a fielder's choice. Celi would then double to left, plating two, for a big five-run inning.
In the third, Shire led off with a single and Wright followed with a hit. Palombi moved the runners up on a sacrifice bunt and Shire scored on an error. E. Ammon picked up the next run when she plated Wright on a fielder's choice. After another Simmons bunt single, Pagliaro singled up the middle to score E. Ammon for an 8-2 lead.
In the fifth, Reim reached second on an error and moved to third when E. Ammon singled. E. Ammon immediately stole second, Simmons reached on yet another bunt single, setting up the walk-off runners in scoring position. Pagliaro sent her teammates home happy as she singled to center, driving in E. Ammon and Reim.
Simmons was 3 for 4 with a run scored, Wright was 2 for 3 with two runs scored, and Shire was 2 for 3 a run scored. Pagliaro had a big game hitting 2 for 4 with four runs batted in and a run scored.
Ashlynne Scardino earned the win to improve to 2-3 on the season. She went three innings, giving up two runs, none earned, on five hits.
Daphne Santos closed things out with a scoreless two inning performance, giving up three hits and three walks.
Neumann (8-18, 2-6 Atlantic East) will return to action on Wednesday afternoon for a non-conference doubleheader against DeSales University. First pitch from Bruder Field is scheduled for 3:30 PM.
