BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College softball squad is eagerly looking forward to the start of the 2015 season. The Greyhounds finished the 2014 campaign with a 29-8 overall record, earning the program's 20th consecutive post-season appearance. With a returning nucleus of 12 players that includes five starters and five All-Conference award winners, the Hounds have high expectations for the upcoming schedule. The Hounds were selected to finish second in the Landmark Conference preseason poll behind Susquehanna University.
Head coach John Byrne, who is closing in on his 700th career win, enters his 22nd season at the helm for Moravian. Byrne is expecting his team to come into the season focused while taking each game as it comes.
"I have been very happy with the progress this team has made in the fall and the pre-season," stated Byrne. "This group has gelled quickly and has established a great work ethic in preparation for the upcoming season.
"Our returnees have provided strong focus and leadership for our new players and expectations are high as the team heads south to open the season."
Senior captains, Jenn Dalickas, Dior George and Lizzie Mack bring a wealth of experience and success to their leadership roles. Dalickas, who was selected as a National Fastpitch Coaches Association/Louisville Slugger Second Team All-American, is coming off a 2014 season which saw her post a .505 (54-for-107) average at the plate along with a .991 slugging percentage and a .579 on-base percentage. She set a school record of 53 RBIs along with hammering out 12 home runs. Dalickas was named to the NFCA All-East Region First Team for a third consecutive season as well as being selected to the Landmark All-Conference First Team for the third time. To cap off her junior year, Dalickas was honored as both Landmark Conference Player of the Year and ECAC South Player of the Year. Dalickas is expected to see time at both infield corner positions throughout the season.
George was also a Landmark All-Conference First Team honoree for the third time. In addition, George garnered NFCA All East Region First Team accolades as she fashioned a .443 (43-for-97) batting average, a .525 on-base percentage and a .680 slugging percentage that included 42 runs scored. George enters her final season as Moravian's school record holder in runs scored with 143 and tied for 10th in career hits with 158. George will continue to contribute from the outfield mainly as the team's centerfielder.
Mack, who will be stepping away from the mound this year, will concentrate her efforts in the outfield as well as designated hitter. While starting 30 games for the Greyhounds last season, Mack had a solid offensive campaign that included a .338 batting average, .441 on-base percentage, .481 slugging percentage and 30 runs scored. Mack has been named to the Landmark All-Conference teams for the past two years, making First Team last spring after earning Second Team in 2013. Mack had also been recognized as a NFCA All-East Region Team selectee in 2013.
"These three seniors have been and will continue to be a major part of our offense," commented Byrne. "I certainly look to them to finish their careers on a high note with a return to the post season."
Along with George and Mack in the outfield is junior right fielder Mary Schlosbon, a Second Team All-Landmark Conference selection in 2014, who returns for her junior season after having a breakout .434 batting average while scoring 26 runs last season. Julie Siragusa, a hard hitting sophomore, will see time in the outfield as well as first base. Rounding out the outfield, when not holding down their infield duties, will be freshmen Megan Taylor and Jackie Marshall.
Joining Dalickas in the infield will be Junior pitcher/infielder Lindsay Sullivan, who when not pitching, is expected to see time in the middle infield. Sullivan was named to the Landmark All-Conference second team in 2014. Transfer infielder Madison Newhouser and returning sophomore Lizzie Deutsch add experience to the middle infield. Versatile freshman Jessica D'Agostino will compete at all the infield positions. Returning sophomore infielder Chrissy Marinaro will also contribute at multiple infield positions. Sophomore third baseman Victoria Conner returns to challenge at the hot corner. Sophomore first basemen Abby Jeffries missed all of 2014 with an injury but looks to make an impact this spring. Junior Kiersten Cain returns at first base, but will also continue her pitching duties.
In the pitching circle, Cain and Sullivan will return with their experience. Sullivan is the returning wins leader going 8-2 with a 2.57 ERA last year. Byrne has been impressed by his freshmen pitching tandem of Amanda Carisone and Josie Novak who are both coming off of outstanding high school careers. Battling to complete the battery behind the plate will be sophomore Niki Maffettone and freshmen Janae Matos and Jean Markovic.
"Amanda and Josie came to us with impressive credentials and I certainly am looking for them to make an immediate impact on our pitching staff," said Byrne.
On Sunday, March 8, the Greyhounds open the 2015 season in Clermont, Florida competing in the Spring Games at the National Training Complex against Fontbonne (Mo.) University. Sunday will be the first day of a ten game week of action before the Greyhounds return to play at Neumann University on Tuesday March 17. The Greyhounds open play at Blue & Grey Field and the 2015 Landmark Conference season on Saturday, March 21 with a doubleheader against The University of Scranton starting at 1:00 p.m.