ASTON, Pa. – In a tight game, the Pride knocked in seven runs in the final two innings to defeat the Neumann University Knights 13-9.

The Pride have a 5-8 record in the regular season. They are 1-2 facing MAC opponents.

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST NEUMANN
Anthony Boccio led the Pride with four runs. Aaron Nuble was Widener's leader in hits, recording three. Widener's pitchers struck out 11 batters, compared to four by Neumann's.

Both sides got men on base in the first inning, but no one was able to get a run. Two Knights' errors were an advantage for the Pride in the top of the first. The Pride and the Knights scored in the second and third innings. A Nuble double in the second was good for an RBI. However, a Widener throwing error in the bottom of the second would give the run right back. Boccio scored in the third on an RBI single to put the Pride up 2-1. In the bottom of the third, Widener's defense faced a bases-loaded scenario. While the Knights earned two total runs for the inning, Widener retired their opponent on the last three batters. After three, the Knights led 3-2.

Widener's defense held strong in the bottom of the fourth for a quick three-batter inning. The score was tied 5-5 through five innings, thanks to the Pride bringing in three runs to Neumann's two. The Pride loaded the bases and proceeded to score three consecutive RBIs. Two were from singles, while the other was on a sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the fifth, a fielding error by Widener turned into an RBI for Neumann. An RBI single three batters later was the tying run. The Knights copied what they did in the fifth, by scoring two runs once again in the sixth. However, a strikeout looking retired the Knights for the inning. Through six, Neumann was ahead 7-5.

Kyle Brex scored on a passed ball to cut into the deficit early in the seventh. Widener loaded the bases again, with two of those runners getting on base because of a hit-by-pitch. It did not result in any scores, though. Although the Pride struck out consecutive batters looking in the bottom of the seventh, Neumann got their eighth run of the day from a runner stealing home. The score was 8-6 Neumann. The Pride knocked in three runs in the eighth inning. A Brex bunt brought Boccio home. A walk with bases loaded was good for an RBI, as well as a hit-by-pitch on Nuble. Despite this, Neumann countered with one more run in the bottom of the eighth. Tied at 9-9 going into the ninth inning, Ian Kauffman was intentionally walked to bring Costanzo to the plate. The bases were loaded. Costanzo then smacked a grand slam to right field to go up 13-9. Widener's defense was stingy to wrap up the game. Two strikeouts and a groundout were the final tries for Neumann. Widener won the game 13-9. They had 13 runs on 11 hits.

UP NEXT
The Pride come back home on Friday for a MAC Commonwealth game versus the Alvernia University Golden Wolves. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.