CENTER VALLEY, Pa. --- The Moravian College softball team rallied from a seven-run deficit in the second game but it wasn't enough as the Greyhounds dropped both games of a non-conference doubleheader at DeSales University, 3-0 and 13-12, Tuesday.
In the opening game, DeSales took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning on a two-run homer by freshman pitcher D.J. McCauley.
The Bulldogs added a run in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single from freshman outfielder Emily Hockman to push the lead to 3-0.
Moravian would load the bases in both the sixth and seventh innings but the Greyhounds were unable to score after leaving ten runners on base in the game including seven in scoring position.
Each team had six hits in the first game with sophomore outfielder Dior George leading the Greyhounds with a two-for-three performance. Hockman and McCauley were each two-for-three for DeSales.
In the circle, Moravian freshman Lindsay Sullivan suffered her first loss of the season, falling to 9-1 after allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits to go with two strikeouts. McCauley earned the win with two walks and five strikeouts in her six-hit shutout.
In the second game, the Greyhounds took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. George led off with a double, and junior designated player Cassie Ernst was hit by a pitch. After the second out of the inning, Sullivan, who started at first base in the second game, hit a two-RBI double to score George and Ernst.
The Bulldogs answered with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning on a two-RBI double from Julie Brugger to tie the game at 2-2. DeSales then scored four runs in the bottom of the second inning to build a 6-2 lead.
Moravian cut the deficit back to two runs at 6-4 with two runs in the top of the fifth. Junior catcher Taylor Mihalik (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty HS) had an RBI single to score junior pitcher Elizabeth Tillou, who had doubled. The Greyhounds scored their other run on a DeSales error.
The Bulldogs scored five times in the bottom of the fourth to build an 11-4 lead with sophomore Taylor Kelly connecting on a grand slam in the inning.
The Greyhounds got two runs back in the top of the sixth on a two-RBI double by Ernst to make the score 11-6 DeSales.
Moravian then scored six times in the top of the seventh inning to take a 12-11 lead. George had an RBI sacrifice fly that she reached on an error before senior pinch hitter Shannen Mohr added an RBI sacrifice fly. After Ernst was hit by another pitch, Sullivan drew a bases loaded walk to score a run. Senior first baseman Amanda Dizinno followed with a two-RBI single before junior shortstop Rachel DeLucia connected on an RBI single to score Sullivan with the go ahead run.
The Bulldogs answered with two runs in the bottom of the seventh for the win on solo home runs by freshman shortstop Michelle Gessner to lead off the inning and by McCauley with one out to end the game.
The Greyhounds had a 16-12 edge in hits in the second game but once again, Moravian left ten runners on base with six in scoring position. Sophomore outfielder Jenn Dalickas led Moravian at the plate with a three-for-five performance while DeLucia and Tillou were both two-for-two. Ernst and Mihalik were each two-for-three while junior second baseman Eavan Matz was two-for-four. BRugger was three-for-four at the plate to lead DeSales.
Moravian used all four of its pitchers in the game with Sullivan taking her second loss of the doubleheader in the second game after allowing two runs on two hits to go with one strikeout in 1 1/3 innings of action. Sophomore Lizzie Mack started in the circle for the Greyhounds, allowing four runs, three earned, on three hits and two walks in 1 1/3 innings before Tillou tossed 2 2/3 innings with seven runs on six hits and four walks. Senior Alyssa Fegely also tossed an inning in the game with a walk, a hit and two strikeouts.
Sophomore Rachel Vogel started in the circle for DeSales but it was senior Brittany Wilson earning the victory after coming in relief in the sixth inning.
Moravian is scheduled to return to action on Thursday, April 18th in a non-conference doubleheader at Ramapo College of New Jersey beginning at 3:30 p.m.
