BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The No. 19 ranked and top seed Moravian College softball team won its second straight and seventh overall Landmark Conference Championship with a 2-1 victory over third seed Susquehanna University at Blue & Grey Field Sunday to clinch the Landmark's automatic berth to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.
The Greyhounds, 35-4 overall, won their 17th conference title on Sunday and will be heading to the NCAA Tournament for the 16th time under the direction of 23-year Head Coach John Byrne, who is two wins shy of 750 in his career. Moravian will find out on Monday, May 9 at 1:00 p.m. when the NCAA airs its selection show at 1:00 p.m. on ncaa.com.
"I would have liked to have a little more cushion out there today," stated Byrne. "Pitching and defense win you championships, things that we have shown throughout the season along with some timely hitting. Two runs were better than one today but we would have like to see a little more space there. Our pitching came through and our defense keeps us in games. We're looking forward on going onto the next step of the postseason."
Moravian had seven hits in the win over the Crusaders with freshman shortstop Kaela Kane going 3-for-3 with an RBI and junior designated player Victoria Conner went 2-for-2. Susquehanna had six hits in the game.
Greyhounds' sophomore Josie Novak improved to 19-2 in the circle with the win as she allowed an unearned run on three hits and two walks to go with two strikeouts in four innings of action. Sophomore Amanda Carisone earned her second save of the season and was also selected as the tournament's Most Valuable Player after giving up three hits and two walks to go along with one strikeout in three innings of relief work.
"Amanda had a great game yesterday in that all important third game against Catholic to put us in the driver's seat at 2-0 where you only have to win one out of two today," commented Bryne. "We had talked that everyone needs to be ready, all hands on deck. Josie was just missing some spots out there so Amanda comes in and shuts the door for three innings. We've talked to the two of them about being a packaged deal, and that's what it came down to for us to win a championships. Josie gets the win, Amanda gets the save and everybody's happy."
Susquehanna also used two pitchers with freshman Alexa Gonzalez getting the start and allowing two runs on four hits and two walks in 1.2 innings of action. Junior Jamie Fesinstine pitched the final 4.1 innings with three hits and a walk.
After leaving the bases loaded in the first inning, Moravian scored both of its runs in the second inning. Conner led off the inning with a single before sophomore Jackie Marshall came on to pinch run. Sophomore first baseman Jean Markovic put down a sacrifice bunt, and freshman second baseman Julia DeMarco singled to move Marshall to third. Senior right fielder Mary Schlosbon followed with an RBI sacrifice fly to left field as Marshall raced home for a 1-0 advantage. Kane ripped an RBI triple to left center that scored DeMarco with the eventual winning run.
The Greyhounds left two more runners on in the third inning. Susquehanna would cut the lead to 2-1 in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI single by Brooke Kohler.
Carisone would come in to pitch in the top of the fifth inning and shut the door with the Greyhounds unable to extend their lead at the plate.
