Box Score
Aston, PA – Top-seed Neumann University downed fourth-seed Marywood University 8-4 thanks to five RBIs from Jacki Herrington to force Marywood into the 2:00 pm elimination game at the CSAC softball championships in Aston. Neumann improved to 24-16 with the win while Marywood fell to 19-17 and must immediately take the field against second-seed Centenary where the loser will be eliminated from title contention.
After a scoreless first, Shawna Sandy (Scranton, PA) doubled to right center to give the Pacers their first hit of the game. Senior Kim Flanagan (Monroe, NY) then doubled home Sandy with a two-bagger to center field to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
The Knights would answer in the home half of the third when third baseman Megan Mazur doubled to right center to start the inning, advanced to third on a Deanna Christy bunt single and came home on an error on a sacrifice fly to left field. Kim Kirkpatrick then singled to load the bases for Neumann and the top-seeded Knights would take a 2-1 lead on a bases loaded walk. After a routine ground out allowed another run to cross the plate, Neumann tacked on two more to take a 5-1 lead on a two-run double to right by Herrington.
Herrington would do more damage in the fifth when she hit a three-run homer to left after both Jennifer Goslin and Lauren Castiello singled to start the inning. Marywood responded with a three-run homer of their own in the top of the sixth as Ashley Dommes (Scranton, PA) went yard for the sixth time this year. Dommes' shot to left made it an 8-4 ballgame.
Kaitlyn Brennan (Taylor, PA) allowed five earned runs for Marywood in the loss. Meghin Palmer (Greencastle, PA) and Dommes were the lone Pacers with multiple hits as both went 2-for-3 at the plate. Brittany Campbell allowed nine hits and was responsible for three runs but got the win for the Knights. Herrington finished the game with five RBI on a double and homer.
Marywood will now play Centenary in the elimination game at 2:00 pm while Cabrini will play Neumann at 4:00pm. In the opening game of the day, #3 Cabrini upset #2 Centenary by a score of 3-2.
