ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Softball team will start their Atlantic East Conference playoff run on Friday when they head to Arlington, Va. for Pod B action.
 
The Knights finished the regular season as the No. 5 seed after a conference record of 4-8. Their overall record was 16-24.
 
The Pod will be played at No. 2 seeded Marymount University's home field, Barcroft Park in Arlington, Va. The third team in the pod will be Marywood University, the No. 3 seed. Pod A will be played at No. 1 seeded Centenary with No. 4 seeded Gwynedd Mercy and No. 6 seeded Cabrini.
 
Neumann's regular season meeting against Marymount was back in late march with the Saints winning both games by scores of 8-5 and 3-2 in eight innings. One weekend later, the Knights hosted Marywood and the Pacers earned the tightly-contested sweep by scores of 3-1 and 5-3.
 
Alyssa Celi will lead the Neumann offense as she hit .311 with seven doubles and 17 runs batted in. Emily Ammon was dangerous on the base paths stealing 18 bases on 18 attempts, good enough for third in the Atlantic East, while hitting .302 with four doubles and 14 RBI. Elizabeth Shire put together a strong senior campaign with a .341 average with six doubles and 11 RBI. Cioni Simmons was third in the conference in walks with 13, adding in 10 steals.
 
The pitching staff is anchored by Olivia Ammon who had a record of 7-7 with an ERA of 2.22, which is fifth in the conference, and 11 complete games with three shutouts. In 104 innings, she allowed only 16 walks while striking out 35. Sydney Wright had an ERA of 3.10 and Ashlynne Scardino hurled four complete games including one shutout.
 
The winners from this weekend's double-elimination pod play will get together next weekend for the 2024 Atlantic East Conference Championship at the home of the highest remaining seed.