Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

RADNOR, Pa. – The Cabrini softball team accomplished something it had not done in years.  The Blue and White snapped a 17 game losing streak to Neumann University today, as the clubs split a doubleheader at Cabrini Field.  The Cavaliers scored a 5-3 victory in the opener before falling in the nightcap 5-4 in eight innings. 

Cabrini improved to 9-10 overall and 9-3 in the Colonial States Athletic Conference.  The victory is the first against the Knights since a 5-.3 win in the first game of doubleheader at Neumann on March 25, 2006.

The Knights jumped to an early lead in the first game, plating a run in the top of the first.  Cabrini had an answer as freshman Amber Dietrich scored an unearned run as junior Becca Miles reached on an infield error.

The game remained tied at 1-1 until the bottom of the second inning, when freshman Taylor Mack hit her first career home run, a two run shot over the left center field fence that also scored fellow rookie Natalie Giannascoli.  Neumann scored single runs in the top of the third and fifth to tie the score at 3-3.

Cabrini regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Miles' one out walk loaded the bases.  Sophomore Kaitlyn Cooper crossed the plate as freshman pitcher Taylor Gallagher reached on a fielder's choice.  The next batter, Giannascoli, singled to left, scoring sophomore pinch runner Lea Enoch.

It looked as if Neumann would threaten in the top of the sixth, but after a leadoff single, Cabrini turned a 4-6-3 double play to end the rally.  The Knights again looked to rally in the top of the seventh inning as Neumann's Allie White drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt.  

Following a fly out, Danielle Grayson hit a grounder into the gap between first and second, forcing freshman Lindsay Savar to make a diving stop.  While Grayson was safe at first, White rounded third before being thrown out home by Cabrini first baseman Giannascoli to end the game.     

Savar and Gianniscoli recorded two base hits each in the win, while Taylor knocked in a pair of runs with her home run.  Gallagher collected the win, as she allowed just three earned runs on eight hits.

The early innings of the second game proved to be a pitcher's duel as neither team could muster much offense.  Cabrini managed the only three hits in the game's first three innings.  Fortunately for the Blue and White, its first hit came off the bat of junior Steph Diegel and it landed on the other side of the fence in left centerfield.  Neumann's first base hit came in the top of the fourth, and also landed outside the fence, tying the game at 1-1.

Cabrini regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth, as Enoch's sacrifice fly to centerfield scored sophomore Molly McDougall.  Again the lead was short-lived, as Neumann plated three runs in the top of the fifth to gain a 4-2 lead.

The Cavaliers again had an answer.  With one out, Savar singled to center before Cooper hit a double to the left center field fence, advancing Savar to third.  Diegel stepped to the plate and singles to right center, plating Savar and Cooper to tie the lead.

Despite freshman Amber Dietrich's fly ball to the left field fence and Cooper's perfectly placed fly ball that forced the centerfield to make a diving catch, neither team managed a base runner in the final two innings.

With two outs in the top of the eight, Neumann paired a double to left and a single to center to score the winning run.

Diegel went 3-4 in the night cap, knocking in three runs, including her first home run of the season.  Freshman Kiley Sharp suffered the loss, despite allowing just seven hits and four earned runs over eight innings.  

Cabrini will step out of conference play for its next two dates, starting with a trip to Arcadia University on Tuesday.  First pitch for the nonconference doubleheader is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.