CLERMONT, Fla. --- The 19th–ranked Moravian College softball team remained undefeated on the season at 4-0 as the Greyhounds defeated Anna Maria (Mass.) College, 9-1 in five innings, in the team's second game of the day Monday at the National Training Center.
Anna Maria opened the scoring in the top of the first inning. Senior Tabitha Ruggeri led off the game with a triple, and she would score on a double steal, taking home while freshman Lindsay Bond stole second base.
The Greyhounds answered with four runs in the bottom half of the first to take a 4-1 lead. Sophomore outfielder Dior George reached on an error to start the inning for Moravian, and junior outfielder Miranda Sergas also reached on an error. After a wild pitch scored George, junior designated player Cassie Ernst hit an RBI triple to score Sergas. Freshman first baseman/pitcher Lindsay Sullivan had a two-out RBI double that sent Ernst across the plate, and Sullivan would score on an RBI single by junior catcher Taylor Mihalik.
Moravian scored another four runs in the bottom of the second to extend its lead to 8-1. Freshman pitcher Carsin Conner led off the inning with a single. After a single by George and Sergas being hit by a pitch to load the bases, Ernst ripped a two-RBI single to score Conner and George. Mihalik drove in the other two runs of the inning with a two-RBI single that send Ernst and Sullivan home.
The Greyhounds added a run in the bottom of the fifth inning to institute the NCAA eight-run rule and end the game, Moravian's third five-inning victory in four contests this season. Senior Alyssa Fegely pinch hit to start the inning, and she doubled. Junior Leann Ventriglia returned the game to run at second base, and she scored on an RBI single from junior outfielder Melissa Cottone.
Moravian had a 13-3 advantage in hits in the contest with both Ernst and Mihalik going two-for-three with three RBIs apiece. Sophomore first baseman Lizzie Mack was two-for-two for the Greyhounds while George and Sullivan each scored twice.
Conner earned her first collegiate victory in the circle for the Greyhounds, allowing a run on three hits and a walk to go with six strikeouts in three innings of action. Sullivan tossed the other two innings and recorded three strikeouts. Sophomore Nichole Lowe suffered the loss for Anna Maria.
Moravian will play two more games at the National Training Center on Tuesday, March 5th when the Greyhounds take on Marywood University at 9:00 a.m. and John Carroll (Ohio) University at 11:00 a.m.
