SELINSGROVE, Pa. --- The Moravian College softball squad split a Landmark Conference doubleheader at Susquehanna University Saturday afternoon in a battle of the top two teams in the conference with the Crusaders winning the first game, 1-0, and the Greyhounds taking the nightcap, 5-4, Saturday.
Both squads entered the twinbill at 6-0 in Landmark action this season, and Susquehanna would hand the Hounds their first conference loss in the opener as the Greyhounds were held without a hit. Moravian did have five base runners in the game as senior first baseman Jenn Dalickas drew three walks and seniors center fielder Dior George and second baseman Lizzie Mack were both hit by pitches but the Hounds couldn't capitalize.
Susquehanna scored the lone run in the fourth inning as Moravian freshman pitcher Josie Novak allowed just the run on four hits and a walk while striking out seven batters.
The Blue & Grey, now 16-4 overall, were limited to five hits in the second game but were also able to use seven walks to earn a split and keep the two squads tied atop the Landmark standings at 7-1. Mack and junior designated player Lindsay Sullivan were each 2-for-4 in the game and drove in four of the five runs. George had the other hit and the final RBI.
Dalickas would be on base four more times in the game as she drew another four base on balls. Dalickas has reached base in her last 21 plate appearances, the last 12 by walk. In those 21 trips to the batter's box, she has 15 walks, six of them intentional, and six hits with two singles, three doubles and a home run.
In the circle for the second contest, freshman Amanda Carisone earned her ninth straight victory, allowing four runs, three of them earned, on six hits and three walks to go with four strikeouts.
Moravian jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. With runners on the corners and two outs, Mack ripped a double to center field that scored junior right fielder Mary Schlosbon from third base and sophomore left fielder Julie Siragusa from first base as both had reached on fielder's choices. Sullivan followed with an RBI double to right field as Mack crossed the plate.
Susquehanna would answer with a run in the bottom of the first inning but the Blue & Grey would get the run back in the top of the second for a 4-1 advantage. Sophomore shortstop Lizzie Deutsch drew a one-out walk, and she came all the way around to score on an RBI double by George. However, Moravian stranded George at third base, one of nine runners left on by the Greyhounds.
The Crusaders plated three runs in the bottom of the third to tie the game at 4-4.
The Blue & Grey broke the tie in the top of the seventh inning. Schlosbon walked to start the inning, and Dalickas worked her seventh walk of the day to move Schlosbon into scoring position. After an out, Mack connected on an RBI single to left field scoring what would be the wining run. The Greyhounds did have a runner thrown out at the plate later inning the inning on a grounder with the bases loaded.
Moravian is scheduled to return to action on Tuesday, April 14 when the squad heads to DeSales University for a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 3:30 p.m. in Center Valley.
