SCRANTON, Pa. --- The Moravian College softball team split a Landmark Conference doubleheader at The University of Scranton Saturday with the Greyhounds winning the opening game 15-0 in five innings and the Royals taking the second contest 6-5 on a seventh inning rally. The loss snapped a ten-game winning streak for Moravian, and it was the Greyhounds' fifth one-run loss of the season.
In the opener, Moravian jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Freshman outfielder Dior George led off with a double and scored along with sophomore outfielder Miranda Sergas, who drew a walk, on a two RBI double by sophomore catcher Cassie Ernst. Junior third baseman Shannen Mohr followed with an RBI double to score Ernst before and RBI single from freshman outfielder Jenn Dalickas brought in Mohr.
The Greyhounds pushed their lead to 5-0 with a run in the top of the second inning when George singled, stole second base and cross the plate on an RBI sacrifice fly from senior pitcher Jenna Carmon.
Moravian would score nine times in the top of the third inning for a 14-0 advantage. Mohr started the inning with a single before Dalickas had an RBI double down the right field line. Junior first baseman Amanda Dizinno followed with an RBI double, and after a pitching change, sophomore outfielder Taylor Mihalik added an RBI double. Sophomore second baseman Eavan Matz singled before the first out of the inning. Sergas then had a two-RBI double down the left field line to score Mihalik and Matz before Carmon connected on an RBI double to bring Sergas across the plate. After another out, Mohr had an RBI single, and Dalickas finished off the scoring with a two-run homer to center field, her team leading fifth home run of the season.
The Greyhounds finished off the scoring with a run in the top of the fifth inning. Junior pinch hitter Alyssa Fegely had a two-out single and scored on an RBI double down the left field line by sophomore pinch hitter Elizabeth Tillou.
Moravian had a 17-2 advantage in hits in the opening game including nine doubles and ten total extra base hits. Dalickas was three-for-three with four RBIs while Mohr went three-for-three with three runs and a pair of RBIs. George was two-for-three in the game for the Greyhounds.
Carmon picked up her 11th win of the season in the circle, allowing two hits and striking out three batters in her 21st career shutout.
Senior pitcher Christine Capalbo took the loss for Scranton after allowing eight runs, seven earned on eight hits and two walks to go with one strikeout in two-plus innings of action. Junior Samantha Boccolini tossed the final three innings with seven runs on nine hits and a walk.
In the second contest, Moravian took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when Ernst led off with a solo home run to center field, her fourth homer of the season.
The Royals answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI ground out from junior third baseman Kristen Williams to tie the game at 1-1.
The Greyhounds moved back in front, 3-1, with a pair of runs in the top half of the fourth. Ernst started the inning with a walk, and she scored on an RBI double by Dizinno, who would eventually score on a passed ball.
Scranton would take the lead, 4-3, with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on a three-run homer by junior pinch hitter Meg Reilly.
Moravian answered with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to move back ahead, 5-4. George started the inning with a walk, and Sergas would single. With two outs, Mohr connected on a two-RBI single to give the Greyhounds the lead.
The Royals needed just three batters in the bottom of the seventh to earn the victory. Senior shortstop Kelly Zaccheo and junior outfielder Kaitlyn Frazza each had singles before junior outfielder Jamie Schackles connected on a two-RBI single to the left centerfield gap.
Scranton finished the second game with a 9-4 edge in hits with Zaccheo going three-for-three and sophomore designated player Caitlin McHenry going two-for-three.
Freshman pitcher Catherine Galvin picked up the win for the Royals, allowing five runs, four earned, on four hits and eight walks to go with six strikeouts.
Moravian used three pitchers in the game with Carmon taking the loss after facing the three batters in the bottom of the seventh inning. Fegely started in the circle and allowed a run on three hits and a walk to go with two strikeouts in two-plus innings of action. Freshman Lizzie Mack tossed the other four innings, allowing three runs, two earned on three hits and a walk to go along with a strikeout.
The Greyhounds, who have played just three home doubleheaders and a total of six games at Blue & Grey Field, will play their final ten regular season games at home beginning on Tuesday, April 17 when they host DeSales University in a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m.
