BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The No. 18 Moravian University softball team outlasted the weather and Williams (Mass.) College in a pitchers' duel on the second day of the 2025 NCAA Division III Bethlehem, Pa. Regional at Blue & Grey Field Friday with a 1-0 victory to advance to the championship round of the regional.

How It Happened

• The contest, scheduled for 11:00 a.m., did not start until a first pitch at 2:27 p.m. as thunderstorms rolled through Bethlehem just as the teams were set to begin their infield/outfield warmup
• The team combined for just seven hits in the contest while the pitching staffs recorded a total of 17 strikeouts including 13 for the Ephs' two pitchers
• Williams had a hit in the bottom of the first inning, but a caught stealing ended the inning
• The Hounds had graduate student second baseman Ajala Elmore and senior left fielder Sage Snyder draw walks to lead off the top of the second; however, Moravian was unable to score
• The Ephs threatened in the bottom of the second before junior pitcher Sarah DeStefano threw a Williams' player out at the plate on a fielder's choice with the tag by junior catcher Marcie Silberman
• Silberman led off the top of the fourth with a walk, but pinch runner Madelin Cooper was stranded on base
• Moravian recorded its first hit of the afternoon in the top of the fifth as DeStefano connected on a double to left center. DeStefano moved to third on a wild pitch but was stranded there
• Williams drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fifth frame but was unable to score as well
• The Greyhounds finally broke onto the scoreboard in the top of the seventh inning with the only run of the afternoon. Snyder led off with a double, and she moved to third on a ground out from junior third baseman Sydney Andrews after a pitching change by the Ephs. Sophomore designated player Kyra Holtje followed with a high chopping RBI single off the tip of the Williams' pitchers' glove as Snyder raced home. Holtje stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch before the inning ended
• The Ephs got a two-out single in the bottom of the ninth before DeStefano struck out the final batter to send Moravian to its tenth regional championship round in 21 NCAA Division III Tournament appearances

Inside the Numbers

• Moravian had just three hits with DeStefano and Snyder each hitting a double and Snyder crossing the plate with the only run of the game
• DeStefano's hit in the fifth inning was the Greyhounds' 436th hit of the spring to break the program record for hits by the team in a single season
• Holtje had an RBI single
• DeStefano improved to 22-2 on the year to move into a tie for fourth in program history for wins in a single season, and DeStefano registered her tenth shutout of the spring and 14th of her career. She scattered four hits and a walk while striking out four batters for her 40th career victory in the circle

Up Next for the Greyhounds

• Saturday, May 17 vs. Eastern University OR Williams (Mass.) College in 2025 NCAA Division III Bethlehem, Pa. Regional Championship Round, 1:30 p.m.