WASHINGTON, D.C. --- The No. 22 Moravian College softball team tossed a pair of shutouts at The Catholic University of America Sunday afternoon, winning 2-0 and 6-0, to begin the 2018 Landmark Conference season.
The Greyhounds, now 11-3 overall and winners of nine straight, received a two-hit shutout from senior Josie Novak as she moved into sole possession of second place in the Moravian record books with her 27th career shutout. Novak also recorded 12 strikeouts in the win while walking two batters.
The Blue and Grey had six hits in the opener and scored both runs in the top of the seven inning. Freshman second baseman Shannon Brogan led off the inning with a single and moved into scoring position on a single by junior third baseman Madison Shaneberger. Senior first baseman Jean Markovic put down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners over before freshman shortstop Maddisen Bieber connected on an RBI single to score Brogan. Sophomore left fielder Lauren Goetz followed with another RBI single as Shaneberger raced home.
In the second game, senior Amanda Carisone posted her first shutout of the season and the 17th of her career as she scattered four hits and a walk in the 6-0 victory.
The Hounds had eight hits in the second game with Brogan and senior catcher Janae Matos each going 2-for-4.
The Blue and Grey jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning of the second contest. Junior designated player Kaela Kane drew a one-out walk, and Matos followed with a single Junior center fielder Kat Spilman connected on an RBI single to score Kane, and Matos would eventually race home on a wild pitch.
Moravian's other four runs would come in the top of the sixth inning. Bieber drew a walk to get the inning started, and she moved to third when sophomore left fielder Emily Stanilious reached on an error. After an out, Kane connected on an RBI single to bring in Bieber, and Matos reached on another error as Stanilious crossed the plate. Brogan reached on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded as Kane scored on an error on the play and senior pinch runner Jackie Marshall also raced home.
The Greyhounds are slated to being their 2018 home season on Thursday, March 22 when the squad hosts Ursinus College in a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Blue & Grey Field in Bethlehem.
