ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Softball team split a non-conference doubleheader against DeSales University on Tuesday afternoon. They dropped the opener, 4-1, before taking the nightcap in eight innings, 6-5.
 
The first two innings of game one went scoreless before DeSales struck in the third on two RBI singles. They added another run in the fourth with another RBI single to lead 3-0. With one out in the fourth, Dakota Marshall single to center and moved to second on Natalie Jairdullo's sacrifice bunt. Taylor Vaugh took an 0-1 pitch to centerfield that was dropped and Marshall scored to pull Neumann within two. The Bulldogs added an insurance run in the fifth on a fielding error.
 
Ang Sannicandro suffered the loss in the circle despite a solid effort. In four innings, she allowed three runs on five hits and a walk, striking out two. Sydney Wright went a strong three innings of relief, giving up an unearned run on a hit, striking out one.
 
In game two, the Bulldogs got the scoring started in the first with an RBI single to centerfield. They added two more in the second with a two-run triple. In the third, Cioni Simmons was hit by a pitch, stole second, and moved to third on Gracie Jairdullo's sacrifice bunt. Vaugh drove in the Knights' first run with an RBI infield hit. Afte Vaugh stole second, she scored on an Ellie Zarnawski single, for a 3-2 deficit.
 
The Bulldogs picked up two important runs in the top of the seventh on an RBI single and am RBI double. Neumann would not give up as N. Jairdullo led off the bottom of the inning with a single up the middle. Rylie Norris was then hit by a pitch and then Simmons grounded out to move Norris to second and pinch runner, Emily Ammon to third. G. Jairdullo would bring them both in with a single to center, making it 5-4. After a pitching change, Vaughn hit an infield single and on an error, moved to second with G. Jairdullo going to third. Zarnawski tied the game on a squeeze bunt, plating G. Jairdullo to tie the game.
 
After DeSales couldn't score in the top of the eighth, Emily Miller was placed on second to start the inngin and quickly moved to third on a Rebecca DiLeo sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, N. Jairdullo singled to right field to score DiLeo and secure the win.
 
DiLeo pitched all eight innings to earn the win. She muscled through 5 runs on 15 hits and no walks, while striking out five. Combined in the doubleheader, Zarnawski went 4 for 7 with two runs batted in. G. Jairdullo was 3 for 6 with two RBI and a run scored while N. Jairdullo was 2 for 6 with an RBI.
 
Neumann (9-11, 2-0 Atlantic East) will be back in action on Thursday when they host Gwynedd Mercy University in a conference doubleheader starting at 1:00 PM.