ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Cedar Crest College softball faced a tough doubleheader against Neumann University on Monday night at Cynthia L. Blaschak Field, suffering an 11–0 loss in the first game and a 9–4 defeat in the second.

Game One – Neumann 11, Cedar Crest 0 (Five Innings)

The Knights took an early lead with two runs in the first inning, highlighted by senior Cioni Simmons' (Bridgeton, N.J.) single that brought in senior Emily Ammon (Gap, Pa.), followed by junior Dakota Marshall's (Ridley Park, Pa.) double to make the score 2-0.

Neumann extended its lead significantly in the second inning, scoring six runs, including a triple from Ammon, which allowed sophomore Rylie Norris (Sewell, N.J.) and junior Tori Spinella (Mount Royal, N.J.) to score. Simmons and senior Nicole Anderson (West Deptford, N.J.) contributed to the scoring with singles and a double, respectively, pushing the score to 8-0.  

The Knights added two more runs in the fourth inning, with graduate student Marina Costello (Swedesboro, N.J.) hitting a two-run homer, followed by an additional run in the fifth due to a throwing error.

For the Falcons, senior Laney Ferraro (Philadelphia, Pa./New Foundations Charter) showcased her speed, stealing two bases, while sophomore Kylie Mastillo (Moscow, Pa./North Pocono) added a hit and a stolen base. Sophomore Alexis Acevedo (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) pitched a complete game, allowing 11 runs—10 earned—over five innings, with one strikeout, bringing her record to 5-6.

Costello pitched five scoreless innings for Neumann, allowing just two hits and striking out nine. Notably, Emily Ammon and Simmons each had three hits for the Knights, with Costello contributing four RBI.

Game Two – Neumann 9, Cedar Crest 4

Cedar Crest initially took a lead with two runs in the first inning, as senior Natalie Hasert (Vernon, N.J./Vernon Township) scored on a single by Mastillo, who then scored on a wild pitch. However, Neumann responded swiftly with four runs in the bottom of the inning, led by a double from Costello. The score at the end of the first inning was 4-2 after the first inning.

The Falcons ought back in the third inning, tying the game at 4–4 after Hasert scored on a double by sophomore Emily Christopher (Palmerton, Pa./Palmerton Area), who later scored on a sacrifice fly by Mastillo. Unfortunately, the Knights regained the lead in the fourth with two runs, making it 7–4, and extended it with two more runs in the sixth, thanks to singles from Ammon and Costello for the 9-4 final.

Mastillo had a strong performance in the second game as well for Cedar Crest, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and two stolen bases. Hasert scored twice and recorded a hit, while Christopher added a hit and an RBI. Sophomore Erin Gray (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) pitched a complete game for Cedar Crest, allowing 13 hits and nine earned runs over seven innings, taking the loss.

For Neumann, sophomore Lauren Farrier (Highland Falls, N.Y.) secured the win, and senior Ang Sannicandro (Philadelphia, Pa.) provided effective relief, limiting the Falcons' scoring chances.

Cedar Crest (14-12 overall) will return to conference play with its next games as the Falcons host Penn State Brandywine in a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 15 starting at 3:00 p.m. Neumann (13-17 overall) hosts Widener in its next doubleheader on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.