BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Junior first baseman Jenn Dalickas connected on a two-run walk-off homer, and senior second baseman Eavan Matz hit her first collegiate home run earlier in the game as the Moravian College softball team won the second game of a non-conference doubleheader versus Misericordia University, 4-3, Sunday after dropping the opener, 10-2, in five innings.
In the first contest, which saw the Greyhounds fall by the NCAA eight-run rule at home for the first time since a 14-4 loss to William Paterson University on April 23, 1996, the Cougars took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning.
The Greyhounds answered in the bottom half of the inning with their only two runs of the game. Sophomore outfielder Mary Schlosbon connected on an RBI single to score senior outfielder Miranda Sergas with senior pitcher Elizabeth Tillou coming around on a throwing error on the play.
Misericordia took the lead right back in the top of the fourth with five runs including a three-run homer by Megan Hardy, and the Cougars added four more runs in the top of the fifth for the eight-run lead.
Schlosbon had two of Moravian's four hits in the game while Tillou took the loss in the circle, allowing four runs, just two earned, on four hits and three strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings.
Tillou bounced back in the second game to even her season record at 2-2 after picking up the complete-game victory. She gave up three runs, only two earned, on seven hits and two walks to go with five more strikeouts.
The Hounds took a 2-0 lead in the second inning of the game when Matz connected on her first career home run over the left field fence. The two-out shot also drove in freshman third baseman Victoria Conner, who had drawn a one-out walk.
"I thought it was a joke when I was heading to second base because it has something I have been joking about all year, and it was a goal of mine this season," stated Matz with a laugh. "I've actually been the flex player for three and a half years now so I usually don't get a lot of chances at the plate. I want to do my job when I get a chance to hit. Everyone was really excited when I hit it, and they've been telling me it only takes one swing to get the home run. They were right."
The Cougars answered back with two runs in the top of the third inning to tie the game, and Misericordia moved in front, 3-2, with a run in the top of the sixth.
Moravian, which had left 10 runners on base through the first six innings of the contest, would start the bottom of the seventh with junior designated player Lizzie Mack reaching second base after a dropped fly ball. Dalickas followed with her homer to straight away center field to end the game. It was her second home run of the weekend and season, and the 16th homer of her Moravian career.
"I was looking for something to hit, and their pitcher gave it to me so I just swung and drove the ball," Dalickas said. "I'm glad it went out of the park because I was excited for us to get a win today more than anything else. It has been a transition this year moving from outfield to first base but I'm hoping I can keep hitting the ball which helps me in the field too."
Schlosbon and Dalickas each had two hits in the second game as both squads collected seven hits in the game.
Moravian is slated to return to action on Thursday, March 27 when Ursinus College comes to Blue & Grey Field for a non-conference doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m.
