WASHINGTON, D.C. --- The Moravian College softball team split its regular season doubleheader at The Catholic University of America Saturday, falling 5-1 in the first game and winning the second contest 4-1, in Landmark Conference action.
With the victory in the second game, the Greyhounds who are the five-time defending Landmark Conference champions locked themselves into the second seed in next weekend's 2013 Landmark Conference Tournament. Susquehanna University earned the top seed on Saturday for the second straight year by sweeping The University of Scranton. Moravian will play third seeded Catholic on Friday, May 3rd at 1:00 p.m. in Selinsgrove in the opening round while Susquehanna and fourth seed Juniata College will open the tournament at 11:00 a.m.
In Saturday's opening game, Moravian jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when sophomore outfielder Dior George started the game with a single and scored on an RBI double by junior catcher Cassie Ernst.
The Cardinals answered with a pair of runs on a two-RBI double by sophomore catcher Ross Shaver in the bottom of the first to take a 2-1 lead.
Catholic added two runs to its lead in the bottom of the third on RBI singles by senior first baseman Nina Curto and sophomore designated player Tori Marcavage. The Cardinals finished the scoring in the fourth inning on an RBI single from senior third baseman Taylor Stockinger.
The Cardinals had an 8-7 edge in hits in the opener with Shaver, Stockinger and sophomore outfielder Amy Laughner each collecting two hits. George was two-for-four at the plate to lead the Greyhounds.
Moravian freshman Lindsay Sullivan fell to 10-4 on the season in the circle, allowing five runs, four earned, on eight hits and two walks. Junior Victoria Capozucca earned the win for Catholic.
The Cardinals would score first in the second game with an RBI single by Curto in the second inning but that would be the only run Greyhound junior pitcher Elizabeth Tillou would allow.
Moravian took a 2-1 lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning. George singled with two outs and junior outfielder Miranda Sergas reached on an error. Ernst then connected on a two-RBI single scoring George and Sergas.
The Greyhounds added two more runs in the top of the seventh for the victory. George reached on an error with one out and scored on an RBI single by Sergas. Ernst then had an RBI fielder's choice that scored Sergas with the final run of the game.
Moravian had a 7-5 edge in hits in the second contest with George going two-for-four again while Ernst drove in three of the Greyhounds four runs. Stockinger was two-for-four to lead the Cardinals.
Tillou improved to 3-3 in the circle, allowing a run on five hits and three walks while striking out four batters. Junior Kerri Apicella took the loss for the Cardinals.
The Greyhounds will return to action on Friday, May 3rd as they begin their quest for a sixth straight Landmark Conference title in the sixth year of the conference.
