HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – Freshman catcher Nick Payne hit a two-out grand slam in the seventh inning to help the Centenary University baseball team earn a 9-6 win over Neumann University in Atlantic East action on Friday afternoon.

Neumann opened the scoring in this one as Andrew Curran launched a two-run home run to center field in the top of the second.

Centenary responded in the bottom half of that frame as the Cyclones put two runners on with one out. Senior designated hitter Nicholas Grifone then poked a single through the right side which scored senior first baseman Brandon Smith. Centenary tied the score as senior second baseman Anthony Vassallo delivered an RBI double down the left field line that allowed Payne to cross the dish.

The Cyclones took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the third as freshman third baseman Jake Keenan ripped a triple to left center that scored grad student right fielder Jon Fleck.

Neumann put a run on the board in the top of the fifth and another in the sixth and took a 4-3 lead.

Centenary sent eight runners to the plate and put five runs on the board for an 8-4 lead in the bottom of the seventh. Senior shortstop Christopher Gass drove in the game-tying run with an RBI single to center. Centenary then used a single and a hit by the pitch to load the bases with two outs. Payne worked the count full before driving the ball down the left field line for the grand slam and a Centenary lead.

Neumann got two runs back in the top of the eight as Anthony Basciano had a two-run triple to center. That made it an 8-6 game.

Centenary got one of those runs back in the bottom half of the frame. The Cyclones loaded the bases with two outs and Keenan was hit by a pitch to force in a run and made it a 9-6 game.

Junior pitcher Chris Hess set the Knights down in order in the top of the ninth to secure the win.

Sophomore pitcher Nick Guiro picked up his fourth win of the season. The righthander pitched into the eighth inning and allowed six runs on 10 hits while striking out three. Hess got the final six outs of the game to secure his second save of the year. Nate Griffin took the loss after giving up eight runs on nin hits in 6.2 innings.

Payne went 2-for-3 with four RBIs and two runs scored while Keenan was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Gass added two hits, a run scored and an RBI while Smith had a hit and two runs scored.

Curran went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored for Neumann.

The Cyclones and Knights resume their series with a doubleheader tomorrow at Neumann. First pitch of game one is set for 12 p.m.