BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College softball team swept its final home doubleheader of the 2013 season, defeating The University of Scranton, 8-0 in five innings and 12-4 in six innings, in Landmark Conference action Saturday at Blue & Grey Field.
In the bottom of the first inning of the opener for the Greyhounds, junior outfielder Miranda Sergas had a double to left field for her 100th career hit, the 31st player in school history to reach the milestone.
Moravian took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Senior first baseman Amanda Dizinno led off with a single up the middle and scored on an RBI sacrifice fly from junior third baseman Rachel DeLucia.
The Greyhounds added six runs in the bottom half of the third to push their lead to 7-0. Sergas drew a walk to start the inning and scored on an RBI double from sophomore designated player Jenn Dalickas. Dalickas scored on an illegal pitch with the bases loaded before DeLucia hit a two-RBI single down the left field line. Freshman pitcher Lindsay Sullivan connected on an RBI single to score DeLucia, and Sullivan scored from first base on an RBI double by sophomore outfielder Dior George.
Moravian scored once in the bottom of the fifth inning for the NCAA eight-run rule to end the game. DeLucia led off with a single and junior Leann Ventriglia came on to pinch run. After two outs, Sergas connected on an RBI single score Ventriglia.
The Greyhounds had a 13-1 advantage in hits in the opening game with DeLucia and Sullivan each going two-for-two. Sergas, Dalickas and Dizinno were each two-for-three for Moravian.
Sullivan improved to 8-0 in the circle after tossing 3 1/3 innings of relief with two strikeouts. Senior Alyssa Fegely pitched the first 1 2/3 innings with a hit, two walks and two strikeouts. Freshman Alison Kucharski suffered the loss for Scranton.
In the second game, the Royals jumped out 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by senior first baseman Jamie Shackles.
Moravian answered with a run in the bottom of the first to tie the game at 1-1. Sergas singled and would score on a bases loaded RBI fielder's choice by Dizinno.
Scranton moved back in front, 2-1, with a run in the top of the second inning on a two-out RBI single by sophomore second baseman Stephanie Romano.
The Greyhounds took the lead, 4-2, with three runs in the bottom of the second. Sullivan led off with a walk and scored on an RBI single by George. Dalickas came up for the second straight inning with the bases loaded and delivered a two-RBI single to score George and Sergas.
Moravian added two more runs in the in the bottom of the third inning. Sophomore shortstop Lizzie Mack led off with a single and DeLucia singled with one out. George reached on an error to allow Mack to score while DeLucia crossed the plate on an RBI single by Sergas.
Scranton got two runs in the top of the fourth inning on a two-run homer to straight away centerfield by junior designated player Caitlin McHenry, her second home run of the season, to cut the Moravian lead to 6-4.
The Greyhounds scored five times in the bottom of the fifth to push the lead to seven runs at 11-4. DeLucia and freshman Mary Schlosbon drew walks to start the inning and Ventriglia came in to run for DeLucia. After George bunted for a single to load the bases, Sergas connected on a two-RBI single scoring Ventriglia and Schlosbon. George eventually crossed the plate on an RBI sacrifice fly by junior catcher Cassie Ernst. Junior pitcher Elizabeth Tillou ripped a two-RBI single to score Dalickas and senior shortstop Brook Kowal, who had both walked in the inning.
Moravian would push the game to the NCAA eight-run rule again in the sixth inning when Dalickas hit an RBI ground out with the bases loaded to score George and make the score 12-4.
Scranton had a 10-9 edge in hits with McHenry, Romano, senior infielder Kristen Williams and sophomore outfielder Gabrielle Santarelli each collecting two hits. Sergas was three-for-three to lead the Greyhounds while George was two-for-three.
Sullivan earned her second win of the day and ninth of the season in the circle as she tossed the first 4 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on ten hits and a walk to go with two strikeouts. Tillou came on to earn her third save of the season with one strikeout over the final 1 2/3 innings.
Freshman Jamie Hampsey took the loss for the Royals as she allowed 13 walks in addition to Moravian's nine hits.
Moravian is scheduled to return to action on Tuesday, April 16th in a non-conference doubleheader at DeSales University beginning at 3:00 p.m. in Center Valley.
