Aston, PA – Cairn University baseball started their final conference series of the season this afternoon and nearly left with an upset after dropping an 11-10 contest to Neumann University. Cairn led in hits, 17-14, and tied the game at 10-10 in the top of the ninth inning.
 
The Knights, who are currently fourth in the conference standings, were able to come away with the victory after scoring on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth to end the game. The Highlanders tied the game in the top of the ninth when the Knights walked in a run and Caleb Moore grounded out to bring in the tying run.
 
Cairn's hitting was led by Joffrey Rosa for the first time this season when he got the start in left field. Rosa went 4-for-5 with two runs scored while hitting in the ninth spot. Six other Highlanders had two hits in the game; John Burlaga finished with three RBI, while Zachary Vegh hit a triple and had a run scored.
 
Joey Nieves-Markee started the game on the mound for the Highlanders and went 3.2 innings. Tristan Ortega pitched the final five innings for Cairn; both had seven hits, four earned runs, and one strikeout. Picking up the win for Neumann was Will Taylor, who was the last one to pitch for the Knights when they had the lead.
 
The Highlanders were in a good spot in the top of the ninth inning when they loaded the bases with one out on the board. Joey Nieves-Markee then stepped up to the plate and the Knights walked him for Cairn's ninth run. The Knights then switched pitchers and brought Will Taylor into the game.
 
Caleb Moore followed that up with a groundout that brought Tristan Ortega across the plate to tie the game at 10-10. With two outs and runners on second and third base, Cairn was still in a position to take the lead. However, it would appear that there was a passed ball allowing Joffrey Rosa to try to steal home, but was then thrown out catcher to pitcher.
 
In the bottom of the ninth inning Ortega was able to get two fly-outs but also had a runner on third base. The next two batters were intentionally walked, because they both already had two hits in the game, which loaded up the bases. However, a pitch got away from Ortega and Buddy Elgin was able to scamper home from third base for the winning run.
 
Nieves-Markee went 2-for-2 in the game and increased his season average to .436, while Rosa is now 10-for-27 overall for a .370 average. John Burlaga hit a double in the game to bring his season total for doubles into the double-digits.
 
With the loss the Highlanders dropped to 8-28 overall and 1-15 in the CSAC. Neumann improved to 16-12-1 overall and 9-7 in the conference with the win. These two teams will play on Sunday in Langhorne, Pa., for a doubleheader at 1 p.m.