ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University softball team celebrated senior day by securing a 6-2 victory and a 5-0 shutout over Atlantic East Conference rivals, Centenary University on Saturday afternoon at Bruder Field, completing a doubleheader sweep.
 
In the first game, Alexis Palombi stood out for the Knights, recording two runs and a double. Marina Costello made a significant contribution with two hits and two runs batted in. Rylie Norris excelled with three hits, including a double, and a stolen base. In the circle, Olivia Ammon pitched a complete game, allowing no earned runs over seven innings, striking out career-high10 batters.
 
The game opened with both teams scoring two runs in the first inning. Centenary took an early lead with an RBI single and an RBI double. The Knights responded promptly, with Emily Ammon singling up the middle and scoring on Palombi's double. Tori Spinella's single brought Palombi home, tying the score at two.
 
In the second, the Knights pulled ahead. After Nicole Anderson was hit by a pitch and Norris doubled, E. Ammon's sacrifice fly allowed Anderson to score, giving Neumann a 3-2 lead.
 
The fifth inning saw the Knights extend their lead. Palombi and Costello both singled, and pinch-hitter Maddi Katchuk, also singled, loading the bases. Anderson walked, forcing in a run to make it 4-2. In the sixth, Norris singled and advanced to third, eventually scoring on a fielding error. Costello's single drove in two unearned runs, with Neumann leading 6-2.
 
In the second game, Cioni Simmons led the Knights with two runs and two stolen bases. Palombi contributed two hits, including a triple, and one RBI. Costello delivered a dominant performance on the mound, pitching a complete game shutout over seven innings, allowing three hits with four strikeouts.
 
The Knights took an early lead in the first inning. Simmons reached on a walk, stole second, and advanced to third on a groundout before scoring on a fielding error, putting the Knights ahead 1-0. In the second, the Knights extended their lead. After loading the bases with a series of walks, E. Ammon singled to drive in Bri Reim, and Simmons followed with another RBI single, bringing the score to 3-0. In the fourth, Simmons walked and scored following Palombi's triple. Costello then singled to bring Palombi home, increasing the Knights' lead to 5-0.
 
Neumann (5-19, 2-0 Atlantic East) will be back in action on Thursday when they visit DeSales University in a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 PM.