BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The No. 6 Moravian College softball team earned a sweep of Ursinus College in the Greyhounds' final non-conference doubleheader of the 2018 season Thursday afternoon at Blue & Grey Field, winning 7-2 in the opener and 8-0 in five innings in the second contest.
The Hounds, now 28-4 on the season, had nine hits in the opening game with junior center fielder Kat Spilman and junior third baseman Madison Shaneberger each going 2-for-3 with Spilman driving in three runs and connecting on a home run. Freshman right fielder Brooke Wehr was 2-for-4.
Senior Josie Novak improved to 14-2 in the circle this season with the win in the opener after allowing two runs, one earned, on seven hits and a walk to go along with nine strikeouts.
The Bears took a 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the third inning, and Ursinus added another run in the top of the fourth for a 2-0 advantage.
Moravian answered with two runs in the bottom half of the fourth frame to tie the game at 2-2. Spilman singled with two outs and would score from first base on a single by freshman second baseman Shannon Brogan and an error in the outfield. Shaneberger followed with an RBI single to bring Brogan across the plate.
The Blue and Grey would score five times in the bottom of the fifth to take a 7-2 lead. Sophomore left fielder Lauren Goetz led off with a single and sophomore Emily Stanilious came on to pinch run. After a sacrifice bunt by freshman shortstop Maddisen Bieber, Wehr connected on an RBI single to chase Stanilious across the plate and give the Hounds the lead. Junior designated player Kaela Kane drew a walk before an RBI double from senior catcher Janae Matos scored Wehr. Spilman followed with a three-run homer to left field scoring Kane and junior pinch runner Ashley Gindle. It was Spilman's sixth home run of the season and the 18th of her career to move into fourth in school history.
Senior Amanda Carisone tossed a one-hit shutout in the second game with after being perfect through the first four innings, and Carisone struck out three batters to improve to 14-2 on the year.
Moravian had five hits in the second game in addition to six walks and three hit batters. Goetz was 2-for-2 with six RBIs and a home run while Spilman was 2-for-3.
The Hounds took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Shaneberger drew a leadoff walk and scored on a two-out, bases loaded walk by junior designated player Julia DeMarco.
Moravian stretched its advantage to 4-0 with three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Brogan reached on a fielder's choice while Shaneberger walked. After a sacrifice bunt by senior first baseman Jean Markovic, Goetz connected on a two-RBI single to score Brogan and Shaneberger. Wehr eventually reached on an error as Goetz raced home from second base on the play.
The Blue and Grey would extend the lead to 8-0 with four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Matos was hit by a pitch, and senior Jackie Marshall came on to pinch run. Brogan drew a walk and Markovic was hit by a pitch before Goetz ripped a grand slam to left field, her second homer of the season to get the Hounds to the NCAA eight-run rule.
The Greyhounds are scheduled to close out the 2018 regular and Landmark Conference seasons on Saturday, April 28 when the squad hosts The University of Scranton in a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Blue & Grey Field. Moravian will be celebrating Senior Day, and the Hounds can clinch the top seed and hosting rights for the 2018 Landmark Conference Tournament with one victory while a sweep by the Royals will out the tournament at Scranton on May 4-5.
