GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. – The Neumann University Baseball team began the conference portion of the 2026 schedule on Saturday afternoon as they split a doubleheader against Gwynedd Mercy University. The Knights took the opener 5-2 before dropping the nightcap, 8-4.
Andrew Brown led the way in game one, hitting 3 for 3 with a walk, two runs batted in, and a run scored.
Nick Ciesielka was 2 for 4 with a double, two RBI, and a run, while
Anthony Rakotz and
JerVal Shuler also had two hits.
Michael Harless picked up his first collegiate win in 6.1 innings of work. He allowed two runs on six hits while striking out six.
Rey Carrier earned the save allowing a hit in .2 innings, his first of the season.
The Knights used a big third inning to power to the victory. Ciesielka smashed a two-run double to left to give them the lead. Brown singled up the middle to plate two runs and
Tyler Kilmer drove in the last run on a sacrifice fly. Gwynedd Mercy responded in the bottom of the frame with an RBI triple and got another in the sixth on an RBI fielder's choice.
In game two, Neumann got on the board in the first inning as Shuler drove in a run on a fielder's choice. Kilmer followed with an RBI single to double the lead. The Griffins came right back in the bottom of the inning with an RBI fielder's choice and RBI double to tie the game. Rakotz gave the Knights the lead back in the second when he drove in
Blake Decker on an RBI single.
From there, Gwynedd Mercy offense raced ahead. In the fourth, a hit by pitch with the bases loaded tied the game and then a sacrifice fly gave them the 4-3 lead. They added on in the fifth with a run-scoring balk, an RBI grounder, and an RBI double. In the seventh, an RBI single made it 8-3.
Neumann attempted to claw back into the game in the ninth as Shuler led off by getting hit by a pitch. Kilmer singled to follow but a 6-4-3 double play seemingly stalled the rally. With Shuler at third,
AJ Nardo walked and stole second, then
Jackson Armiger walked to load the bases.
Donovan Brooks hit a single to center to plater Shuler but that's as close as the Knights would come.
Brooks had a big game, going 5 for 5 with a double, a stolen base, a walk, an RBI, and a run scored. Kilmer was 3 for 5 with an RBI, and Rakotz was 2 for 3 with a hit by pitch, two walks, an RBI and a run scored.
Josh Lillis suffered the loss in relief to drop to 0-1 on the season.
Neumann (6-3, 1-1) will complete their three-game series against Gwynedd Mercy University on Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Bruder Baseball Field is scheduled for 2:00 PM.
