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| Neumann celebrates as they advance in the AEC tournament. | PHOTO: Hunter Martin Photography |
In a game that swung back and forth like a heavy hitter’s bat, Neumann emerged victorious in extra innings, defeating Centenary 7-6 in the opening game of the Atlantic East Conference tournament Wednesday afternoon at Bruder Field.
The real drama unfolded in the 11th inning, with the score tied 6-6. AJ Nardo led off with a walk, setting the stage for a thrilling sequence. Brandon Colon singled, moving Nardo to second, and after Joe Boccio’s infield hit loaded the bases, it was Andrew Brown who delivered the walk-off blow. Brown’s sharp single to left-center scored Nardo, sending the Neumann dugout—and the home crowd—into a frenzy.
But the story didn’t end there. The game was a tense, gripping battle throughout, with plenty of twists and turns before Neumann could secure the win. Thomas Carroll, who finished 3-for-6 with a homer, two runs scored, and an RBI, was at the center of the Knights’ offense. His solo shot to center in the sixth inning tied the game at 3-3, answering a solo home run by Centenary just minutes earlier.
Brown and Colon also played crucial roles. Each went 3-for-6, with Brown knocking in two runs and Colon adding a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Colon’s double in the 10th inning was a historic one—his 17th of the season, which tied him for the most in a single season in Neumann history.
Jack Valentine started the game on the mound for Neumann, giving the Knights five solid innings, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks, while striking out one. But the win would belong to Chris Balshuweit, who came on in relief, tossing 1.2 innings of one-hit ball, walking one, and striking out one to improve to 3-0 on the season.
The game started with both teams locked in a defensive battle, going scoreless through the first two innings. But once the third inning hit, the offenses started to click. Donovan Brooks was hit by a pitch to start the frame, and Anthony Rakotz took advantage, blasting a two-run homer to left for his third of the season, giving Neumann a 2-0 lead.
Centenary wasn’t fazed, answering in the fourth with a two-run single to tie the game. The Cyclones took their first lead of the day in the sixth with a solo shot, but Carroll quickly tied it up with his homer in the bottom of the frame.
The game remained tight as both teams traded chances, but it wasn’t until the 10th inning that the drama reached its peak. With Centenary holding a 6-3 lead after a two-run double and an RBI single, Neumann mounted a furious comeback. Nardo worked another leadoff walk, then came around to score when Colon’s double to center scored Nardo and moved Carroll to third. After Boccio was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Brown’s single plated Carroll, and Josh Finger’s sacrifice fly tied the game.
It was the 11th inning, however, where Neumann sealed the deal. Nardo’s walk, followed by Colon’s single and Boccio’s infield hit, set up Brown’s game-winning single that sent the Knights to victory.
With the win, Neumann (26-11) advances to face Marymount University, who defeated Immaculata earlier in the day. The Knights will look to keep their momentum going in a 2:30 p.m. showdown on Friday at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Va.
