ASTON (Pa.) – The Delaware Valley University softball team posted a 12-9 triumph over host Neumann University in the opening game of a non-conference doubleheader before narrowly dropping the nightcap, 5-4.

In game one, the Aggies (8-19) raced out to a 4-0 lead after three hits and two errors in the first innings. Lead-off hitter Sierra Ripka took advantage of two errors and stole a base to reach third and Emily Merrigan drove her in with a single through the left side to open the scoring. Yasmine Gonzalez followed with a single to put two on for first-year Bailey Smith. With two outs, Smith got a pitch she liked and sent it over the opposite field fence for her first collegiate home run, a three-run shot to give DelVal a 4-0 lead.

Alexis Langenfelder got the start for the Aggies and stranded two Knights (10-23) runners in the first to keep them off the board.

DelVal took advantage of another error in the second when Adina Brucie reached on a throwing error and Ripka followed with an RBI triple to left field. Carly Mahal came up next and hit a slap to the right side to score Ripka and make it 6-0 Aggies after two.

Neumann chipped away in the third with four runs on five hits and an error to pull with two, 6-4. Bri Reim picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly and Taylor Portzline brought home two with a single to highlight the run.

In the bottom of the fourth, Reim sparked another rally with a lead off single and the Knights would load the bases with just one out. Maddie Tice sent a line drive into center for a single to score Reim, but a good throw to the plate from Ripka in center field prevented another run from scoring. Later in the frame, Neumann took the lead thanks to a two-run double to left field from Elizabeth Shire. The Knights took a 7-6 lead into the fifth.

DelVal responded in the fifth as Carly Mahal bunted her way on with one out and stole second to get into scoring position. Olivia Monismith followed with an RBI single to left center that plated Mahal from second to tie the game at 7-7. Back-to-back singles from Merrigan and Gonzalez scored Monismith and gave put the Aggies in front, and two batters later Caitlyn Pollock gave the Aggies a two run lead.

Monismith, who was in the circle in relief, got into a jam in the bottom of the fifth. Neumann had runners at second and third with one out, but a foul out to the catcher and a ground out to second base kept the Aggies in front, 9-7, after five.

DelVal secured its win with three more runs on two hits and two errors in the top of the sixth. Monismith picked up an RBI and scored a run while Gonzalez delivered a two-run single back up the middle.

The Knights made one last push in the bottom of the seventh with two unearned runs across and runners on first and second with one out. Once again, Monismith was able to get a foul out to the catcher and a pop-up to second base to seal the 12-9 victory.  

Gonzalez and Merrigan each went 3-for-4 and combined for four RBI and four runs scored to lead the Aggies who finished with 12 hits as a team. Ripka had two hits, an RBI, and scored three times, while Smith worked a walk and finished with three RBI. Monismith drove in two and scored twice, and Mahal and Pollock each had an RBI.

In game two, the Knights got on the board first with two runs on three hits in the bottom of the second, but the Aggies fired back with three runs on two hits in the third.

Brucie started the run with a triple to the fence in left-center field and came in to score on a wild pitch. Ripka and Mahal worked consecutive walks and stole a base to get to second and third where Monismith drove them home with a double to make it 3-2, DelVal.

The Aggies stranded runners at second and third in the fourth, but extended their lead in the fifth thanks to an RBI single by Merrigan that plated Mahal to give the Aggies a 4-2 advantage.

Neumann came back in the bottom of the fifth as they loaded the bases with two outs for Vanessa Bowen who delivered a two-run single to tie the game at 4-4.

DelVal stranded two runners in the top of the sixth and left one on first base in the seventh, setting the stage for the Knights in the final half inning.

After a ground out to the pitcher, Shire laced a double to center and came around to score from second after a pair of errors to lift Neumann to a 5-4 win.

Each team committed three errors in the game and hits were 10-7 in favor of the Knights.

Alexis Langenfelder led the Green and Gold at the plate with two hits while Monismith drove in two, Mahal scored twice, and Merrigan picked up an RBI. First-year Katherine Beckett started the game in the circle and allowed three earned runs on eight hits through five innings. Pollock finished the game and allowed one run on two hits in the loss.

Reid and Shire went 3-for-4 at the dish and Bowen was 2-for-3 with two RBI, a run scored and a walk.