CLERMONT, Fla. --- The 14th-ranked Moravian College softball team concluded its weeklong trip to the National Training Center with a 13-5, six-inning loss to Coe (Iowa) College Friday. The Greyhounds complete the ten-game trip with an 8-2 record.
In Moravian's second game of the day versus Coe, the Greyhounds jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Sophomore outfielder Dior George led off the game with a double, and she scored on an RBI single from junior catcher Cassie Ernst.
The Kohawks answered with a run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI sacrifice fly by junior outfielder Morgan Louck to tie the game.
Coe would break the game open in the bottom of the third with seven runs to build an 8-1 lead. Sophomore designated player Taylor Riedl had a two-RBI doubles while sophomore third baseman Brianna Hull added a two-RBI single as the big hits in the inning.
The Greyhounds scored twice in the top of the fourth inning to cut the deficit to 8-3. Sophomore first baseman Lizzie Mack singled to start the inning, and junior third baseman Leann Ventriglia walked before freshman pitcher Lindsay Sullivan connected on a two-RBI double.
Moravian added a run in the top half of the fifth to pull within 8-4. Ernst was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and she scored on a throwing error.
The Kohawks scored three times in the bottom of the fifth to push their lead to 11-4.
The Greyhounds would get a run back in the sixth inning when sophomore outfielder Jenn Dalickas doubles to lead off the inning and scored on an RBI single by Ernst.
However, Coe would score twice in the bottom of the sixth to build an eight-run lead and institute the NCAA eight-run rule.
The Kohawks had a 14-7 advantage in hits with Hull going three-for-four. Ernst was two-for-two to lead the Greyhounds at the plate.
Junior Elizabeth Tillou started in the circle for Moravian and allowed six runs on six hits and a walk to go with one strikeout in 2 1/3 innings. Sullivan tossed the final 3 1/3 innings with seven runs on eight hits and two walks. Junior Maddison Woodruff earned the victory for Coe.
Moravian is scheduled to return to action on Saturday, March 16th when the squad begins its 2013 Landmark Conference season, and a quest for a sixth straight Landmark title. The Greyhounds will host Susquehanna in a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader at Blue & Grey Field.
