ASTON, Pa. – A pair of third-inning home runs proved to be enough as Eastern University Softball (6-3) earned a 5-1 at Neumann.
Jania Long and Sami Briton both homered to left in the decisive inning.
After the Eagles squandered a two-out double from
Tori Hook in the first, the host Knights plated a single run on three hits off Long in the bottom of the first.
Britton led off the second with a double to left. She scored from third on a one-out single from
Amanda Bruno to tie the game at 1-1. The hit gave Bruno, a first-year outfielder, her first career RBI.
Elena Iannuzzelli singled to keep the rally going, but the Eagles were unable to grab the lead.
After Long worked around an error to start the bottom of the second, the Eagles put together their big inning in the third. Hook hit her second of three doubles with one out.
Kellie O'Brien came on to run, but the extra speed on the bases would prove unnecessary as Long cleared the foul pole down the left field line with a no-doubter. Long caught a little break when she fouled the first pitch of the bat back behind the plate, but the wind turned the pop-up into a tough play and she got another look. She took a high pitch and then blasted a 1-1 pitch over the fence.
Britton's homer left a little more in question. Her shot to straight-away left looked to be extra-bases for sure, but it carried well enough to clear the seven foot fence for a 4-1 lead.
The Eagles added an insurance run in the fifth inning. Hook again created the chance with a double. Her lead-off effort nearly went for naught as Long, and Britton both lined out on well-hit balls to left.
Mackenzie Laub hit the first pitch she saw over the center fielder's head for her second double of the year.
Long pitched through the bottom of the third. Brynn Clifford allowed just a single hit in three innings of work to earn the win in relief.
Victoria Perez retired all three batters she faced in the seventh inning.
The Eagles will host Cabrini this Friday for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm.
