BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian University softball team needed an extra inning to win its first-ever home NCAA Division III Tournament game as the Greyhounds defeated Penn College, 2-1 in eight innings, in the opening contest of the 2024 NCAA Division III Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Regional at Blue & Grey Field Thursday.

How It Happened

• The Hounds took an early 1-0 lead with a run in the bottom of the second inning. Senior designated player Emily Silberman led off with a single before freshman Emma Grace Pachkowski came on to pinch run. Senior second baseman Ajala Elmore put down a sacrifice bunt to move Pachkowski into scoring position as she took third base on the play. Sophomore third baseman Sydney Andrews connected on an RBI groundout to chase Pachkowski across the plate
• The Wildcats knotted the score at 1-1 with a run in the top of the fourth inning
• Neither squad scored again in the regulation seven innings
• Moravian plated the winning run in the bottom of the eighth. Junior shortstop Holly Walter led off the frame with a single, and she stole second base before junior first baseman Lindsey Gawrys put down a sacrifice bunt to move Walter to third. Sophomore catcher Marcie Silberman was hit by a pitch to give the Blue & Grey runners on the corners. Junior left fielder Sage Snyder hit a ground ball to first base and Walter beat the throw to the plate on the RBI fielder's choice to win the game
• Senior Madi Cunningham improved to 18-2 on the season in the circle as she allowed one run on five hits and a walk to go with seven strikeouts

Inside the Numbers

• Moravian had just five hits in the game with Emily Silberman going 2-for-2
• Marcie Silberman had one hit to give her a school record 107 total bases this spring while Walter had a hit and a run
• Sophomore right fielder Sarah DeStefano had the Hounds' other hit while Pachkowski scored a run
• The Blue & Grey are in their 20th NCAA Division III Tournament appearance and the first at home
• With the victory, the Greyhounds are now 53-43 in tournament play and 7-5 in extra innings. Thursday marked the seventh time Moravian has played extra innings in the first game of the tournament 

Up Next for the Greyhounds

• Friday, May 17 vs. Muskingum (Ohio) University, 11:00 a.m.