BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College softball team swept Hunter College, 14-0 in five innings and 8-1, in a non-conference doubleheader at Blue & Grey Field Saturday as Moravian swept its fourth straight home twinbill this season.
The Greyhounds opened the scoring with five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Junior designated player Cassie Ernst was hit by a pitch with two outs, and scored on an RBI triple down the right field line by sophomore outfielder Jenn Dalickas. Dalickas scored when senior first baseman Amanda Dizinno reached on an error. Sophomore pitcher Lizzie Mack had an RBI double to chase Dizinno across the plate, and after an infield single by junior catcher Taylor Mihalik and a stolen base, senior third baseman Shannen Mohr connected on a two-RBI single to finish the scoring.
Moravian struck for six runs in the bottom of the third to push the lead to 11-0. Dizinno led off with a double and scored on an RBI single by Mack. Senior shortstop Brook Kowal hit an RBI double to score Mack while Mohr ended up crossing the plate when Ernst drew a bases loaded walk. Dalickas followed with a two-RBI single before Dizinno came to bat for the second time in the inning and had an RBI single.
The Greyhounds added three more runs in the fourth to push the lead to 14-0 and institute the NCAA eight-run rule. Junior pinch hitter Melissa Cottone hit an RBI ground out with the bases loaded to score Mihalik, who had led off with a single. Junior pinch hitter Elizabeth Tillou followed with a two-RBI single to finish the scoring.
Moravian had a 13-3 advantage in hits in the game with Dizinno, Mack and Mihalik each going two-for-three. Dalickas was two-for-four for the Greyhounds.
Mack improved to 4-1 in the circle for the Greyhounds, allowing three hits and striking out two batters in four innings of action. Senior Alyssa Fegely tossed the final inning with two outs. Junior Angel Iacovetti took the loss for the Hawks.
Hunter opened the scoring in the second game with a run in the top of the first inning. Senior second baseman Molly Meehan led off with a single and scored on an RBI single by sophomore outfielder Leslie Dempsey.
The Greyhounds answered back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first to take a 2-1 lead. Sophomore outfielder Dior George led off with a single, stole second base and scored on an RBI fielder's choice by Dalickas. Dizinno connected on an RBI triple to put Moravian in front when Dalickas scored from first base.
Moravian added two runs in the second inning to push the lead to 4-1. Kowal singled and scored on a throwing error on a ground ball hit by George. Junior outfielder Miranda Sergas chased George home with an RBI double.
The Greyhounds pushed the lead to 5-1 in the third when Ernst hit a solo home run off the scoreboard in right centerfield for her second homer of the season.
Moravian added three runs in the home half of the sixth inning for an 8-1 lead. Fegely and junior infielder Rachel DeLucia each reached on errors before junior third baseman Leann Ventriglia connected on a two-RBI double. Ventriglia would score on an error later in the inning.
The Greyhounds had a 10-6 advantage in the second game with Ernst going two-for-three and Dizinno going two-for-four at the plate. Dempsey was two-for-three for Hunter while Meehan was two-for-four.
Freshman Lindsay Sullivan improved to 4-0 in the circle for Moravian, allowing a run on six hits and a walk to go with two strikeouts in six innings. Tillou tossed the final inning with a walk and a strikeout. Sara Beck took the loss for the Hawks.
Moravian continues its ten-game home stand when it returns to action on Sunday, April 7th when the Greyhounds host Susquehanna University in a Landmark Conference doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m. at Blue & Grey Field.
