MARSHALL, Texas. --- The Moravian University softball squad fell to No. 2 Berry (Ga.) College, 8-1, Friday on the second day of the 2023 NCAA Division III Softball Championship Tournament being hosted by East Texas Baptist University as the Greyhounds fell into the elimination bracket.

How It Happened

• The Vikings jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning with a one-out solo home run
• The Greyhounds had runners on base in the first, third and fourth innings including a runner in scoring position in both the third and fourth frames but still trailed 1-0 after four innings
• Berry plated four runs in the top of the extend the advantage to 5-0
• Moravian answered with a run in the bottom of the fifth to cut the deficit to 5-1. Freshman pitcher Sarah DeStefano led off with a single, and freshman Kendall Szor came into pinch run. Junior shortstop Ajala Elmore followed with a single, and both Szor and Elmore moved up a passed ball. Sophomore third baseman Holly Walter drew a walk to load the base while Szor raced home on an RBI fielder's choice off the bat of sophomore first baseman Lindsey Gawrys. Freshman catcher Marcie Silberman drew a walk to reload the bases; however, the Blue & Grey were unable to score another run
• The Vikings tacked on a run in the sixth and two more in the seventh for the final score

Inside the Numbers

• Moravian had five hits in the game with Elmore going 2-for-3
• Walter reached base four times with three walks and a hit while DeStefano was 1-for-2 and Silberman went 1-for-3 with a double
• Szor scored the Hounds' only run of the contest while Gawrys added an RBI
• The Greyhounds used four pitchers with DeStefano making the start and tossing five innings as she fell to 16-3 on the season. Senior Madison Hummel and sophomore Madi Cunningham both pitched an inning while freshman Natalie Otto faced three batters
• The contest was the 49th of the season for the Blue & Grey tying the program record with Walter, Elmore, Gawrys and sophomore outfielder Sage Snyder playing in all 49 games this spring to to become the first student-athletes to play in 49 games in a single season 

Up Next for the Greyhounds

• Saturday, June 3 vs. No. 5 Trine (Ind.) University in 2023 NCAA Division III Championship Tournament elimination game in Marshall, Texas, 1:30 p.m. CDT