ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Baseball team took both ends of an Atlantic East Conference doubleheader on Sunday afternoon, defeating Saint Elizabeth University by scores of 7-5 and 15-1 in seven innings.
Anthony Rakotz combined to go 6 for 9 with two doubles, a run batted in, and four runs scored.
Jackson Armiger was 4 for 6 with a double, two RBI, and 2 runs. Both
Nick Ciesielka and
JerVal Shuler went 3 for 6. Ciesielka contributed two RBI and two runs while Shuler added a double, three RBI, and two runs.
Game one started with Neumann getting a single run in the bottom of the first on a Shuler RBI single to right field. Saint Elizabeth connected on five runs in the fourth thanks to an error, an RBI single, and a three-run home run. The Knights clawed back with runs in the bottom of the fourth and the fifth as they scored on a passed ball and a groundout.
The pivotal inning for the first game was the bottom of the sixth as Armiger scored on an error and
Donovan Brooks singled in a run to tie the game. Rakotz gave Neumann the lead with an RBI single and Ciesielka added an insurance run with a single.
Michael Harless was sharp on the mound, earning the win to improve to 2-0. He went six innings, allowing five runs, one earned, on six hits and three walks, striking out three.
Rey Carrier locked the win down in the seventh with a perfect frame and two strikeouts. He earned his second save of the season.
The Knights opened game two by sending 14 men to the plate and scoring nine runs. Ciesielka started it with an RBI single.
Alex Gambol was issued a bases loaded walk and Armiger plated two with a single to center. Two batters later,
Brody Foltz also earned a walk with the bases full. Brook drove in a run with a grounder and Shuler hit an RBI grounder to finish the scoring in the inning.
The Eagles scored a run in the second on an RBI double but that didn't stop the Knights' onslaught. In the third, Shuler drove in a run on a grounder with a second run scoring on an error. Kilmer notched two more RBI with a double, stole third, and scored on an error for a 13-1 lead. Rakotz hit an RBI single to left in the sixth and
Matt Starchville scored on an error to close out the day's offense.
Josh Lillis earned the win on the mound with four innings of solid work. He allowed one earned run on three hits and a walk, striking out three.
Max Brown had his second straight strong relief outing as he allowed two hits and fanned two in two innings.
Kyle Dailey pitched a perfect seventh to end it.
Neumann (8-5-1, 3-2) will close out this three-game series with Saint Elizabeth with a final game on Monday afternoon in Morristown, N.J. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 PM.
