BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College softball team swept a non-conference doubleheader over rival Muhlenberg College 7-0 and 10-2 in six innings at Blue & Grey Field Thursday as sophomore outfielder Dior George collected her 100th career hit.
The Greyhounds are now 24-6 on the season, the 20th straight season the program has won at least 23 games, all under 20-year Head Coach John Byrne, who is 638-197 all-time. The win also helps Moravian cut the Mules lead in the annual Matte Award Trophy to 8-6 with men's tennis and golf still to compete this spring.
Moravian opened the scoring in the first game with a run in the bottom of the second inning. Sophomore designated player Jenn Dalickas led off with a double into the right field corner, and scored on a bases loaded RBI sacrifice fly by senior pitcher Alyssa Fegely.
The Greyhounds scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth to build a 5-0 lead. Sophomore Lizzie Mack led off with a pinch hit solo home run, her first career homer. George and junior outfielder Miranda Sergas each had infield singles before junior catcher Cassie Ernst connected on a two-RBI double to right centerfield. Senior first baseman Amanda Dizinno added an RBI sacrifice fly to score Ernst.
Moravian added two runs on the bottom of the sixth for a 7-0 lead. Mack reached on a fielder's choice with two outs before George connected on a two-run homer to left field, her second home run of the season and fourth of her career.
The Greyhounds had a 10-3 advantage in hits with Dalickas going two-for-three. George and Sergas were both two-for-four for Moravian.
Fegely improved to 9-2 in the circle with her seventh shutout of the season for the Greyhounds, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out three batters. Sophomore Kesley Jones took the loss for the Mules with one walk and one strikeout.
Moravian took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first in the second game. George led off the inning with a single, and after a sacrifice bunt by Sergas, Ernst ripped an RBI single up the middle to chase George across the plate.
The Greyhounds scored four times in the bottom half of the second to push the lead to 5-0. Mack led off with a single and scored from first base when junior third baseman Rachel DeLucia reached on an error on a sacrifice bunt attempt. George then lined a single to center field to become the 30th career player in school history to reach 100 career hits and the four sophomore to reach the milestone joining three-time All-American Heather Bortz, Erica Klepeisz and Melissa Soroka, who all finished with 191 or more career hits. Sergas had an RBI single down the left field to score DeLucia. Ernst was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Dalickas drew an RBI bases loaded walk scoring George. Sergas scored on another Muhlenberg error in the inning.
The Mules scored a pair of runs in the top of the third on a two-RBI single by junior first baseman Kelly Kline to cut the Greyhounds' advantage to 5-2.
Moravian added four runs in the fourth to push the lead to 9-2. Sergas led off with a double and scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded. Ernst, who was hit by another pitch, crossed the plate on an RBI single by Dizinno while Dalickas, who had singled, and Dizinno came home on a two-RBI single by Mack.
The Greyhounds finished the scoring with a run in the bottom of the sixth for the NCAA eight-run rule. Junior third baseman Leann Ventriglia doubled with two outs and scored on an RBI single by freshman pitcher Lindsay Sullivan.
Moravian had a 14-8 edge in hits in the second game with George going three-for-four. Ernst and Sergas were both two-for-two while Mack and Sullivan were two-for-three for the Greyhounds. Sophomore outfielders Alyssa Schell and Jaimie Klontz were both two-for-three for the Mules.
Sullivan remained undefeated in the circle at 7-0 as she allowed two runs on eight hits. Senior Angie Sisco took the loss for Muhlenberg after allowing five runs, just two earned on five hits and a walk in 1 1/3 innings. Sophomore Heather Porrini tossed the final 4 1/3 innings with five runs on nine hits and a walk to go with one strikeout.
Moravian will close out its ten-game home stand on Saturday, April 13th when the Greyhounds host The University of Scranton in a Landmark Conference doubleheader at Blue & Grey Field beginning at 1:00 p.m.
