ASTON, PA – After more than three weeks away from competition, the Cabrini softball team finally saw game action today, as the Cavaliers faced Neumann University in the Colonial States Athletic Conference openers for both teams.

The Blue and White started slowly, dropping the opener 10-1, before coming out on the short end of a 27-14 slugfest in the nightcap. With the losses, the Cavaliers fell to 3-7 overall, while the Knights improved to 6-3.

Neumann jumped ahead early in the opener, plating four runs on four hits in the top of the first. The Knights added another run in the top of the third. Cabrini got on the board in the bottom of the frame, as sophomore Alexandra Schell, who reached with a triple, scored on a ground out by freshman Aysiah Cintron.

The Knights added three runs in the fourth and two in the sixth to end the game.

Cabrini never established its offensive rhythm, notching just two hits in the loss, as only Schell and junior Marissa Alpaugh made appearances on the base paths.

Senior Jess Giordano suffered the loss in the pitcher's circle after allowing nine earned runs on 12 hits with five strikeouts.

The Knights carried their hot bats into the nightcap, opening the game with three runs in the top of the first inning.

The Cavaliers answered in a big way, plating nine runs in the bottom of the first. The first 10 batters in the inning reached safely, accumulating three walks, six singles and a double.  

Giordano drove in two runs with a single to left before senior Alexandria Ramos' single drove in Alpaugh. Senior Sarah Beckner's base loaded double to left scored a pair of Cavaliers, with a Cintron single scoring Beckner and Schell. Alpaugh drew a bases loaded walk, with Giordano's sacrifice fly giving Cabrini a seemingly comfortable 9-3 lead after the first inning.

The Knights evened the score in the top of the second, scoring six runs of their own. While the Blue and White failed to answer in the bottom of the second, Neumann regained its lead with five runs in the top of the third.

Cabrini got a run back in the third, as Schell singled through the right side to score Alpaugh.

Neumann pushed its lead to 17-10 with three in the top of the fourth, but the Cavaliers cut into their deficit in the bottom of the fourth.

Junior Darian Caputo's double to center scored senior Victoria Hall. Two batters later, an Alpaugh double plated Caputo and senior Chrissy Ferraro. Giordano then drove in her fourth and fifth runs in the game, as her single scored Alpaugh and Ferraro.

Neumann put the game away in the top of the fifth, as it exploded for 10 runs on 10 hits, extending its lead to 27-14.

All nine Cavaliers in the batting line-up recorded at least one hit, with Giordano going 3-3 with five RBI. Caputo added three base hits and matched Alpaugh with three runs scored.  Alpaugh, Beckner and Cintron added two RBI each.

The Cavaliers' pitching staff had few answers for the Knights' offense, which recorded 26 base hits on the day. Freshman Casey Scheuren suffered the loss after allowing 12 earned runs on 11 hits in two-plus innings.

The Blue and White will look to rebound on Tuesday, when they visit The College of New Jersey (11-3). First pitch of the nonconference doubleheader is scheduled for 3pm in Ewing, NJ.