MADISON, N.J. – The Neumann University Softball team won both game of an Atlantic East Conference doubleheader against Saint Elizabeth University on Thursday afternoon, winning by scores of 8-5 and 9-2.
Marina Costello led the way, combining for a 6 for 8 day with two doubles, five runs batted in, and three runs scored.
Rylie Norris was 5 for 8 with two RBI, and a run scored,
Rebecca DiLeo added a double and two runs, and
Natalie Jairdullo had two doubles, three RBI, and a run scored.
Neumann got the offense rolling early in game one as
Emily Ammon led off with a double down the left field line and quickly stole third.
Gracie Jairdullo ripped a double to left, plating Ammon for the 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Costello drove in G. Jairdullo. Costello was able to score on a throwing error for a three-run edge after a half inning.
Saint Elizabeth answered in the bottom of the inning with an RBI double. They tied the game in the bottom of the second on an RBI double and an RBI single. The Knights retook the lead in the third as, with one out Costello doubled to the right field gap. She then advanced to third on a grounder and scored on a N. Jairdullo double.
After a scoreless fourth, and with one out in the top of the fifth,
Tori Spinella reached second on a throwing error. Two batters later,
Kayla Naylor singled to move Spinella to third. An
Emily Miller walk loaded the bases, allowing a big inning. Norris singled to bring in Spinella then Ammon cleared the bases with a single and an error for an 8-3 lead.
In the bottom of the inning, the Eagle got closer with a two-run double, pulling within three. In the seventh, Saint Elizabeth got the tying run to the plate, but the Knights held them off for the win.
Sydney Wright got the win in the circle with a solid 4.1 innings of work, improving her record to 5-4.
Ang Sannicandro her first save of the season. In 2.2 innings, she only allowed three hits and no runs.
The Knights started the second game much like the first. With one away in the first,
Taylor Vaugh was hit by a pitch, stole second, and moved to third on a groundout. Costello drove her in with a double down the left field line for a 1-0 lead.
The Eagles took the lead in the bottom of the inning with two RBI singles to make it 2-1. In the third,
Ellie Zarnawski hit an 0-2 pitch for a double. She was driven in by a Costello base hit, tying the game.
The fourth inning went scoreless, but the Knights went right back to work in the fifth. Vaugh led off with a walk and moved to third when Zarnawski singled. After a pitching change, Costello drove in both runners with a single up the middle. Costello then scored on a DiLeo fielder's choice and an error. A groundout advanced DiLeo to third and she scored on a fielder's choice by N. Jairdullo, making it a 6-2 game.
Neumann added insurance runs in the seventh. Costello and DiLeo led off with singles then N. Jairdullo drove in pinch-runner,
Erin O'Shea with a double. Spinella drove in DiLeo on a grounder, and Norris plated N. Jairdullo with a single.
Costello hurled a complete game for the win, improving her record to 4-4. In six innings, she allowed two unearned runs on six hits, striking out six.
Neumann (18-18, 7-5 Atlantic East) will close out the regular season with a non-conference doubleheader on Monday afternoon against Penn State Brandywine. First pitch from Bruder Field is scheduled for 2:30 PM.
