BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The top seed and host Moravian University softball squad scored eight runs in the bottom of the first inning on the way to 11-2, five-inning victory over fourth seed The University of Scranton in the opening round of the 2023 Landmark Conference Tournament at Blue & Grey Field Friday afternoon.

How It Happened

• The Royals jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning with hits on the first two pitches of the game
• The Greyhounds answered with eight runs in the bottom half of the first frame to take the lead for good. Sophomore third baseman Holly Walter led off with a single, and junior left fielder Mya Zettlemoyer followed with a single. After a ground out, freshman catcher Marcie Silberman hit an RBI fielder's choice as Walter raced home. Sophomore center fielder Sage Snyder drew a walk to load the bases before junior designated player Emily Silberman ripped a two-RBI single up the middle to score Zettlemoyer and Marcie Silberman and give the Hounds' the lead for good. Freshman second baseman Hailey Tanner came in to run and stole second base before freshman right fielder Sarah DeStefano connected on a two-RBI single to plate Snyder and Tanner. Sophomore pitcher Madi Cunningham drew another walk while Walter finished off the scoring with a three-run homer to left center to score DeStefano and Cunningham
• The Blue & Grey added to more runs in the bottom of the second to make it 10-1. Snyder ripped a one-out triple before crossing the plate on an RBI double from Tanner. DeStefano connected on an RBI single that brought Tanner home
• Scranton scored its second and final run in the top of the third inning
• Moravian finished off the scoring in the bottom of the third when Walter led off with a solo homer to left field, her fifth home run of the season. The Greyhounds won for the ninth time this spring on the NCAA eight-run rule including the second time against the Royals
• The Hounds advanced to the winner's bracket game at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday against third seed The Catholic University of America, which topped second seed Susquehanna University, 10-3, in the other first round game on Friday

Inside the Numbers

• Moravian had 12 hits in the game with Walter going 3-for-3 with three runs, four RBIs and a pair of homers to give her five career homers, all in 2023
• DeStefano was also 3-for-3 in the game with three RBIs and a run while Snyder went 2-for-2 with a pair of runs and a triple
• Zettlemoyer had a 2-for-3 game with a run while Tanner was 1-for-1 with two runs, an RBI and a double
• Emily Silberman went 1-for-2 with a pair of RBIs while Cunningham and Marcie Silberman both cross the plate once
• Cunningham improved to 14-5 in the circle as she allowed two runs on five hits to go with three strikeouts and no walks in five innings of work

Up Next for the Greyhounds

• Saturday, May 13 vs. The Catholic University of America in 2023 Landmark Conference Tournament Winner's Bracket Game, 10:00 a.m.