BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- With their 2020 season cancelled after 10 games by COVID-19, the Moravian College Department of Athletics & Recreation today honors the four senior members of the Greyhounds' softball team that missed out on their Senior Day.
The quartet helped the Greyhounds to a 113-22 record in their career and three trips to the postseason including the Landmark Conference Championship, the NCAA Division III Ewing, New Jersey Regional Championship and an NCAA Division III Super Regional appearance in 2018.
Senior first baseman Lauren Goetz appeared in 111 games for the Greyhounds with a .325 career batting average to go with 93 hits, 90 RBIs, tied for 15th in program history, 62 runs, 24 doubles, 16 homers, which ranks seventh all-time, 27 walks, a .577 slugging percentage and a .381 on-base percentage. Lauren also saw time in the outfield during her career to finish her career with a .987 fielding percentage, 414 putouts and 59 assists. Lauren was named to the Landmark All-Conference First Team in 2017 and 2018 as a utility player and the All-Conference Second Team in 2019 at first base. She is a two-time member of the Landmark Conference Spring Academic Honor Roll while making the Dean's List three times. Lauren is the daughter of Nancy and Chad Goetz and is majoring in nursing at Moravian.
"Lauren has been an impact player for the program since the onset of her freshman season," stated Head Coach John Byrne. "Playing many positions, Lauren has become a very accomplished player earning multiple All-Conference honors throughout her career. Having been named a team captain, Lauren understands and embraces the tradition of Moravian Softball. With excellent academic accomplishments Lauren will be very successful in her future endeavors in the field of nursing. I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to coach Lauren over the past four years."
Senior pitcher Paige Lesher appeared in 35 career games in the circle with 22 starts. Paige had a 20-2 career record after going 16-1 in 2019, and she finished with a 1.73 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 145.2 innings in her career. Paige recorded six putouts and 33 assists in 42 chances in the field. Paige was named 2019 Landmark Conference Pitcher of the Year and also earned spots on the Landmark All-Conference First Team and National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Atlantic Region Third Team as a junior. Paige is the daughter of Natalie and Mark Lesher and is majoring in chemistry at Moravian.
"Paige has been an integral part of our pitching staff over the past four years," Byrne explained. "Her accomplishments as a player include being named All-Conference, as well as Landmark Conference Pitcher of the Year. As a person, Paige has evolved as a leader among our pitching staff and has been a great resource for our younger pitchers. Paige's easy-going personality and commitment to the program have made it a pleasure to have coached her over the past four years."
Senior outfielder Samantha O'Keefe played in 49 career games with seven hits, 13 runs, a double, a triple, seven RBIs and three walks, and she had nine putouts and an assist in 11 chances in the field. Samantha is a two-time member of the Landmark Conference Spring Academic Honor Roll, Moravian's Dean's List three times and Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society. Samantha is the daughter of Norma and John O'Keefe and is majoring in nursing at Moravian.
"Sammy has been a valuable asset to our program over the past four years," Byrne said. "Sammy has brought a strong work ethic, a positive influence and an exceptional sense of humor to every game and practice during her career. Sammy is an accomplished student-athlete who will thrive in her field of nursing. It has been a pleasure to have had the opportunity to coach Sam over the past four seasons."
Senior outfielder Emily Stanilious appeared in 125 games for Moravian with a .358 career batting average to go with 93 hits, 82 runs, 40 RBIs, 13 doubles, three triples, a home run, 28 walks, 20 stolen bases, a .442 slugging percentage and a .423 on-base percentage. Emily had a .990 career fielding percentage with 92 putouts and four assists. Emily was named to the Landmark All-Conference Second Team in 2017 and 2019. She is a three-time member of the Landmark Conference Spring Academic Honor Roll, a three-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III All-America Scholar-Athlete, Moravian's Dean's List six times and Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society. Emily is the daughter of Jeanine and Jeremy Stanilous and is majoring in Nursing.
"Emily has worked hard over her career to become a key player for our program," commented Byrne. "Playing multiple outfield positions, Emily has earned All-Conference recognition as well as earning academic honor for her work in the nursing curriculum. Emily has a strong work ethic combined with a lead by example nature. These qualities, along with her pleasant personality, have made Emily a pleasure to have coached over the past four years."
Graphics on all four seniors will be posted throughout the day on Moravian's social media accounts.
