The 2000 Commonwealth Conference Championship, an automatic berth to the 2000 NCAA Division III National Tournament and a third place finish for the second consecutive year at the NCAA Division III East Regional highlighted another successful season for the Moravian College softball team.

Head coach John Byrne, who was named the Commonwealth Conference Coach of the Year, led the Greyhounds to a 26-12 record. In seven seasons, Byrne has guided the Greyhounds to a 194-81 record, three NCAA Tournament appearances, two Commonwealth Conference titles and two Middle Atlantic Conference playoff appearances.

Leading the Greyhounds on the field this season were seniors Becky Stroup (Palmerton/Palmerton Area HS) and Zan Azzolino (Lodi, NJ/Immaculate Heart Academy).

On the mound, Stroup posted a 14-5 record with a school record tying eight shutouts. Stroup, who had 82 strikeouts in 126 innings, had the lowest single season ERA of her career at 1.50 this year. Stroup was named as an at-large selection to the NCAA East Regional All-Tournament Team and she garnered Commonwealth Conference All-Star First Team accolades this season. Stroup’s last game for the Greyhounds was her 19^th career shutout and her 50^th career victory.

Azzolino, a shortstop, led the Greyhounds at the plate with a .374 batting average. Azzolino, who completed her Moravian career with school records in games played (162), assists (320) and most consecutive at-bats without a strikeout (141), also had 24 hits, 13 RBIs, three doubles and three triples this spring. Azzolino was named to the Commonwealth Conference All-Star First Team for the third consecutive season and she was also on the MAC Academic Honor Roll for the third straight year. Azzolino also garnered a NCAA East Regional All-Tournament Team selection for the second time and she was named to the GTE Academic All-District II College Division Softball Team.

Sophomore outfielder Summer Miller (Mount Holly, NJ/Rancocas Valley Regional HS) also represented the Greyhounds on the NCAA East Regional All-Tournament Team this spring after collecting six hits in four NCAA games. Miller completed the season with a .370 batting average on 40 hits in 108 at-bats. Miller, who was also on the MAC Academic Honor Roll this season, added 15 RBIs, 13 runs and four doubles.

Sophomore catcher Stacy Matuczinski (Bethlehem/Liberty HS) was a Commonwealth Conference All-Star First Team selection and led the Greyhounds with 41 hits and 15 sacrifices. Matuczinski hit .357 for the season with 23 runs, 12 RBIs and seven doubles. Matuczinski was also named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-East Region First Team.

Sophomore designated player Deb Noble (Cranford, NJ/Cranford HS) joined Matuczinski on the Commonwealth Conference All-Star First Team and the NFCA All-East Region First Team. Noble completed the season with 36 RBIs, one shy of the school record, and a .354 batting average. Noble led the Greyhounds in extra-base hits with 14 including ten doubles, two triples and two homeruns. She also had 40 hits, 60 total bases and 22 runs this spring.

Sophomore outfielder Sarah Leiby (Fleetwood/Fleetwood HS) was named to the Commonwealth Conference All-Star Second Team this spring after hitting .309. Leiby had 34 hits, 23 runs, 18 RBIs, 10 doubles, a triple and a homerun.

Junior outfielder Missy Hummel (Walnutport/Northampton HS) and freshman first baseman Kim Gehman (Topton/Brandywine Heights HS) each hit .292 this season. Hummel had 33 hits and 23 runs while Gehman had 26 hits, 14 runs and 12 RBIs. Gehman added four doubles and a triple while Hummel had two doubles.

Sophomore second baseman Laurie Rentschler (Slatington/Northern Lehigh HS), who has started 82 consecutive games for the Greyhounds, had 25 hits and 16 RBIs this spring. Rentschler, who was on the MAC Academic Honor Roll, added nine walks, nine runs, two doubles and a triple. Senior third baseman Krysten Mack (Canton, CT/Canton HS) had 19 hits and nine runs in her final season.

Freshman outfielder Danielle Dest (Windsor, CT/Northwest Catholic HS) had 12 hits in limited action with four RBIs, one double and two triples.

In addition to Stroup on the mound, sophomore Rachel Mowrey (Hellertown/Saucon Valley HS) had an outstanding season. Mowrey posted a 10-7 record and a 2.09 ERA in 107 innings of action. Mowrey, who was a Commonwealth Conference Second Team All-Star, struck out 57 batters and allowed just ten walks. Mowrey had 11 outings in which she did not allow a walk this year.

Freshman Jillian Simms (Hampton, NJ/Voorhees HS) won her only game of the season as did junior Meg Ryan (Edison, NJ/Edison HS). Ryan, who was on the MAC Academic Honor Roll, suffered a dislocated shoulder on the second day of the season that sidelined her the rest of the year.

With 11 of 14 players coming back next season and an expected strong recruiting class, the Greyhounds look to win their second consecutive Commonwealth Conference Championship and earn their fourth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.