ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Baseball took both ends of a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, defeating Vermont State University- Castleton by scores of 3-1 and 5-2.
AJ Nardo went 3 for 6 in the two games, with a double, a walk, a hit by pitch, a run batted in, and three runs scored.
Donovan Brooks reached base five times in eight plate appearances as he induced four walks, and singled once, adding three stolen bases.
Joe Boccio drove in three runs with a double and a hit by pitch.
In game one, Neumann got their offense moving in the first inning. With one out, Nardo doubled through the right side of the infield and
Anthony Rakotz walked. Boccio drive them both in with a double into right as the Knights took the lead. With one out in the second, Carroll grabbed the base on balls and was driven in by
Brandon Colon to make it 3-0. Castleton got a run back in the sixth on an RBI single, but that's as close as they would get.
Jack Valentine picked up the win for his first decision of the season. He pitched five innings of one-hit shutout ball, fanning four.
Rey Carrier went 1.2 innings for his first collegiate save, walking one and striking out three.
Game two started similarly with Neumann striking early. Nardo led off by getting hit by a pitch and moved to second when Brooks walked. After a fielder's choice moved Nardo to third, Rakotz stole second, and Nardo scored on a throwing error.
Thomas Carroll started the next inning with a double to the left centerfield gap and moved to third on a B. Colon sacrifice bunt.
Tyler Kilmer followed with Neumann's first triple of the season to drive in Carroll, doubling the lead.
After a scoreless third, B. Colon led off the bottom of the fourth with a triple off of the right field fence. Two batters later, Nardo drove him in on a grounder to make it 3-0. The Spartans responded in the fifth, scoring two runs on a double and an error.
In the sixth, the Knights got a couple of important insurance runs.
Tyler Kilmer walked with one out in the frame and Nardo moved him to third with a single. Brooks was walked intentionally to load the bases then Boccio was hit by pitch and
Andrew Brown walked to add to the Neumann advantage.
Zach Mullins evened his record with the win as he went five innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on five hits and a walk, while striking out five.
Chris Balshuweit worked hard for the six out save, his first of the year, allowing a hit and two walks, striking out two.
Neumann (6-3) will be back in action on Tuesday when they host Albright College for a 3:30 PM start.
