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Vs. #3 William Paterson University at NCAA Division III East Regional – Lost 2-1
The Greyhounds were knocked out of the NCAA Division III East Regional in a 2-1 loss to host
and third seed William Paterson University. Moravian completed the season with a record
of 33-12 and fourth in the East Regional. The Greyhounds scored first in the game with
a run in the bottom of the first inning. Freshman shortstop Melissa Soroka led off the
inning by reaching on an error. She moved to second on a walk by junior second baseman
Laurie Rentschler and to third on a passed ball. Soroka scored on a sacrifice fly by freshman
designated player Jenn Hastings. Moravian would give up a pair of runs in the third inning
on three straight William Paterson singles and an error. Junior pitcher Rachel Mowrey
suffered just her fourth loss of the season to finish at 17-4. She allowed the two runs,
one earned, one walk and two strikeouts. Of Moravian's 12 losses this season, nine were
by one run and six were to teams (Rowan, Cabrini and WPU) still alive in the East Regional
after Moravian was knocked out.
Vs. #1 Rowan University at NCAA Division III East Regional – Lost 1-0
The Greyhounds were knocked into the losers bracket of the NCAA Division III East Regional
with a 1-0 loss to top seeded Rowan University. Moravian, now 33-11, had its 12-game
winning streak snapped and will play in the consolation bracket on Saturday. Freshman
Donna Weiner suffered her fourth 1-0 loss of the season while falling to 13-8. Weiner
allowed just six hits in the game but one was a solo homerun to Nicole Hewitt of Rowan in the
sixth inning. Weiner also allowed one walk, the first unintentional walk by Moravian
in the postseason, while striking out three batters. Moravian managed just four hits,
a leadoff double by freshman shortstop Melissa Soroka in the first inning, a leadoff single
by freshman centerfielder Janelle Brey in the fourth inning, a one-out single by freshman third
baseman Megan Smith in the third inning and a two-out single by junior outfielder Sarah Leiby
in the seventh inning. The Greyhounds had runners at second and third with one out in
the fourth inning but couldn't push a run across the plate.
Vs. #5 Hunter (NY) College at NCAA Division III East Regional – Won 10-2
Freshman outfielder Janelle Brey went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a double and junior
pitcher Rachel Mowrey earned her school record 17th win of the season to lead the fourth seeded
Greyhounds to a 10-2, six-inning victory over fifth seeded Hunter (NY) College in the first
game of the NCAA Division III East Regional at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ. Mowrey
allowed two earned runs on five hits with four strikeouts and no walks. Junior second
baseman Laurie Rentschler hit a one-out single and Brey followed double in the bottom of the
first inning to get the Greyhounds in scoring position. Freshman designated player Jenn
Hastings grounded to short and the throw home wasn't in time to get Rentschler. Brey
would score on a ground out by junior outfielder Summer Miller. With two outs, junior
first baseman Deb Noble walked and did a delayed steal of second base that allowed Hastings
to score. Noble scored the final run of the first inning on an error by Hunter. After
allowing two runs in the top of the fourth inning, the Greyhounds got one back in the bottom
of the fourth on a single by junior outfielder Sarah Leiby, a sacrifice bunt by junior catcher
Stacy Matuczinski, an infield single by freshman third baseman Megan Smith and a wild pitch. Moravian
scored three runs in the fifth inning. Brey led off with a single and came all the way
around to score on a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt by Hastings. Hastings crossed
the plate on a single by Miller and Miller would score on a single by Matuczinski. The
Greyhounds would end the game with two runs in the sixth inning to institute the NCAA eight-run
mercy rule. Sophomore Jill Simms hit a one-out single as a pinch hitter and scored on
a booted ground ball hit by freshman pinch hitter Jessica Naugle. Brey would score the
final run of the game on a bases-loaded single by Noble.
At NCAA Division III East Regional, Wayne, NJ – Number four seed
For the third straight year, the Greyhounds are the number four seed in the NCAA Division
III East Regional. Moravian will be headed to William Paterson University, one of four
at-large berths nationwide, in Wayne, New Jersey for the Regionals this weekend, May 11th-13th. For
the second consecutive year, the Greyhounds will open the Regional by playing the winner of
the City University of New York Athletic Conference, this year fifth seeded Hunter College
(18-14). The other first round game pits #3 seed William Paterson versus #6 seed Mount
Saint Mary College of NY (17-8). The winner of the Moravian-Hunter game will play top
seeded Rowan (NJ) University (33-9) in the third game on Friday while #2 seed Cabrini College
(40-3) will play the winner of the William Paterson-Mount Saint Mary game. The other
two automatic berths from the East Region were shipped out by the NCAA. King's College,
the Freedom Conference Champion, is the fifth seed in the regional hosted by Ithaca College
while Muhlenberg College, the Centennial Conference Champion, heads to Roanoke, Virginia as
the fifth seed.
Vs. #4 Lebanon Valley College at Commonwealth Conference Championship – Won 8-0
Juniors Stacy Matuczinski and Summer Miller each three hits and junior Rachel Mowrey tossed
a four-hit shutout to lift Moravian to an 8-0, six-inning victory over Lebanon Valley College
to won the 2001 Commonwealth Conference Tournament and earn a berth in the NCAA Division III
Tournament. The Greyhounds are now 32-10 on the season and will be making their fourth
straight trip to the NCAA Division III Championships. The 32 victories set the Moravian
record for any sport, eclipsing the 1995 and 1997 softball teams and the 1991-92 women’s
basketball team with 31 wins. Moravian got on the board with a pair of runs in the second
inning. After three straight walks with one out, Matuczinski hit a single to centerfield
to score Miller and junior first baseman Deb Noble. The Greyhounds tacked on two more
runs in the fifth inning on a two-RBI single by freshman designated player Jenn Hastings that
scored freshman third baseman Megan Smith and freshman shortstop Melissa Soroka. Moravian
ended the game by scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to institute the NCAA
eight-run rule. After a pop foul out, Matuczinski singled and moved to second on a grounder
by Smith. Lebanon Valley attempted to throw out Matuczinski at second but threw the ball
the right field fence to score Matuczinski and put Smith on third base. Soroka tripled
to score Smith and she scored on a single by junior second baseman Laurie Rentschler. Freshman
centerfielder Janelle Brey singled and Hastings was walked to load the bases before Miller
ripped a single to left to score the eighth and final run. Matuczinski and Miller were
both 3-for-3 in the game while Soroka was 2-for-4. Matuczinski and Hastings each had
two RBIs while Soroka and Smith each scored two runs. Mowrey allowed just four hits with
one intentional walk, one hit batter and one strikeout. Mowrey is now 16-3 on the season
and tied the Moravian single season victory record set in Amy Croll in 1996 and tied by Becky
Stroup in 1998. The intentional walk by Mowrey was the only one issued by the Greyhound
pitching staff in 25 innings at the tournament.
Vs. #4 Lebanon Valley College at Commonwealth Conference Tournament – Won 4-3
(12 innings)
Freshman Donna Weiner allowed seven hits over 12 innings in a 4-3 victory over fourth seeded
Lebanon Valley College to help lift second seeded Moravian to the championship game of the
2001 Commonwealth Conference Tournament at Lebanon Valley College. Moravian again trailed
1-0 in the sixth inning before tying the game. Freshman designated player Hastings reached
on an error and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior outfielder Summer Miller. After
moving to third on a wild pitch, Hastings scored on a RBI single by junior first baseman Deb
Noble, who was 3-for-5 in the game. The game would stay tied until the international
tiebreaker was started in the tenth inning. After Lebanon Valley had made the score 2-1,
Moravia would tie in on a single by Hastings that scored second baseman Laurie Rentschler ,
who had started the inning at second base. The Greyhounds would have to tie the game
again in the 11th inning when junior catcher Stacy Matuczinski singled scored pinch runner
sophomore Jill Simms. After shutting out the Flying Dutchmen in the 12th inning, Moravian
won the game in the bottom of the 12th. Freshman shortstop Melissa Soroka started the
inning on second base and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Rentschler. Freshman
outfielder Janelle Brey attempted to put a squeeze bunt down on a 0-1 pitch but the ball was
in the dirt. Lebanon Valley catcher Kendra McQuillas attempted to pick Soroka off third
base but the Flying Dutchman shortstop dropped the ball an allowed Soroka to score. Weiner,
now 12-7 on the season, allowed just seven hits and was charged with just one unearned run
while striking out four and walking none.
Vs. #3 Messiah College at Commonwealth Conference Tournament – Won 4-2
Junior pitcher Rachel Mowrey earned her 15th victory of the season with a 4-2 victory
over third seeded Messiah College in the second game of the Commonwealth Conference Tournament
at Lebanon Valley College. Moravian trailed 1-0 in the fourth inning when the Greyhounds
struck for four runs. Freshman centerfield Janelle Brey started the inning with a single
and beat a throw to second on a grounder by freshman designated player Jenn Hasting. After
a sacrifice bunt by junior first baseman Deb Noble, junior outfielder Summer Miller was intentionally
walked to load the bases. Brey and Hastings would score on a single by junior outfielder
Sarah Leiby. Noble crossed the plate on a RBI single by freshman third baseman Megan
Smith and Leiby scored on a RBI single by freshman shortstop Melissa Soroka. Smith finished
the game with two hits and Miller had a double. Mowrey allowed just six hits and one
of the runs was unearned. She had one strikeout and didn’t allow a walk while improving
to 15-3 on the season.
At Juniata College – Won 7-1 & Won 2-0
Freshman outfielder Janelle Brey hit a pair of homeruns in the first game and freshman pitcher
Donna Weiner tossed a five-hit shutout in the second game to give Moravian a doubleheader sweep
of Juniata College, 7-1 & 2-0, in the final Commonwealth Conference doubleheader of the
season. The Greyhounds finish the regular season at 29-10 overall and 10-4 in the Commonwealth
Conference and will be the second seed in the upcoming Commonwealth Conference playoffs and
will play third seeded Messiah College on Friday, May 4th at Lebanon Valley College beginning
at 1:00 p.m. In the first game, Moravian took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Brey
hit a RBI single to score freshman shortstop Melissa Soroka. In the second inning, junior
outfielder Summer Miller scored on a bases loaded walk to junior second baseman Laurie Rentschler. Rentschler,
Soroka and freshman third baseman Megan Smith scored on a grand slam by Brey to make the score
6-0. Moravian would extend the lead to 7-0 in the sixth inning when Brey connected on
a two-out, solo homerun. The homer was Brey’s fifth of the season and ties the
Moravian single season record set by Paula Hirjak back in 1985. Brey's two-homerun
game and six-RBI contest both set Moravian records. Brey was three-for-four in the game
while freshman designated player Jenn Hastings and junior first baseman Deb Noble were each
two-for-four. Miller was two-for-three. Junior pitcher Rachel Mowrey picked up
her 14th win of the season on the mound allowing four hits, an unearned run, one walk and three
strikeouts. In the second contest, the Greyhounds got Weiner all the offense she would
need in the first inning when Brey hit an infield grounder to score Soroka, who had singled. Moravian’s
other run scored in the seventh inning when junior catcher Stacy Matuczinski scored on a wild
pitch. Soroka had two hits in the game while Weiner had eight strikeouts in the win,
her 12thof the season.
At William Paterson (NJ) University – Cancelled
Due to rescheduled doubleheaders that would have forced Moravian College to play five straight
days, the Greyhounds and William Paterson (NJ) University have agreed to cancel their scheduled
doubleheader for Thursday, April 26th in Paterson, NJ. This is the second straight year
the season ending twinbill between the two schools has been cancelled.
At Dickinson College – Won 2-0 & Won 6-3
Junior Rachel Mowrey tossed her first career no-hitter in the first game and freshman shortstop
Melissa Soroka was three-for-three in the second game to lead the Greyhounds to a non-conference
doubleheader sweep of Dickinson College, 2-0 and 6-3. Mowrey allowed just three base
runners in her no-hitter, two reaching on errors in the first inning and a walk in the third
inning. She struck out three batters to improve her season record to 13-3. Junior
catcher Stacy Matuczinski drove in the first run in the second inning with two outs after junior
second baseman Laurie Rentschler doubled. Moravian scored its second run in the fifth
inning after Matuczinski had reached on an error and scored on a single by Soroka. Both
Matuczinski and Soroka each had two hits in the first game. In the second contest, Soroka
led off with a single and scored on a RBI single by freshman outfielder Jenn Hastings. The
Greyhounds extended their lead to 2-0 in the second inning with Matuczinski scoring on a sacrifice
fly by Soroka. Moravian made the score 3-0 in the fourth inning when junior first baseman
Deb Noble scored on a RBI single by Soroka. Freshman designated player Janelle Brey led
off the fifth inning with a single and scored on a ground out by Noble. After giving
up a run in the sixth inning, Moravian scored twice in the seventh inning with Noble doubling
to score Hastings and Matuczinski singling to score Noble. In addition to Soroka’s
three hits, Brey, Hastings, Noble and Matuczinski two hits. Noble and Soroka also had
two RBIs apiece. Freshman Donna Weiner improved to 11-7 on the mound with the win, allowing
three runs on 11 hits with two strikeouts.
Vs. Delaware Valley College – Won 9-1 (5 innings) & Won 5-2
Freshman outfielder Janelle Brey hit a pair of RBI doubles in the first game and junior second
baseman Laurie Rentschler hit a bases loaded double in the second game as the Moravian College
softball team swept a non-conference doubleheader, 9-1 in five innings and 5-2, from Delaware
Valley College. Brey drove in the first run of the first contest with a one-out doubled
in the bottom of the first inning to score junior outfielder Sarah Leiby. The Greyhounds
added four runs in the second inning with junior first baseman Deb Noble scoring on an error,
Rentschler crossing the plate on a sacrifice fly by freshman shortstop Melissa Soroka, freshman
third baseman Megan Smith scoring on a double by Leiby and Leiby scoring on Brey’s second
double. Leiby, who was two-for-two in the game drove in freshman Jessica Esposito with
a two-out single in the fourth inning. Moravian finished the game with three runs in
the bottom of the fifth inning to institute the NCAA mercy rule. Junior outfielder Summer
Miller tripled to start off the inning and scored on a single by Noble, who was two-for-three
in the game. Noble scored on a sacrifice fly by Esposito and Rentschler scored the final
run on a bases loaded walk. Moravian freshman Jessica Naugle tossed a two-hitter for
her second win of the season. She allowed two walks and struck out five batter. In
the second game, Moravian scored four unearned runs in the bottom of the first inning with
three coming on Rentschler’s base loaded double. The Greyhounds would take a 5-0
lead in the third inning when Rentschler scored on a bases loaded infield single by Soroka. For
Moravian, Rentschler and junior Stacy Matuczinski were each two-for-three in the game. Moravian
sophomore Jill Simms earned her first victory of the season on the mound, allowing just three
hits and one walk while striking out three batters.
Vs. Elizabethtown College – Won 4-3 & Won 7-1
Senior outfielder Missy Hummel scored on a two-out bases leaded wild pitch to win the first
game 4-3 and freshman pitcher Donna Weiner tossed a three-hitter in the second game for a 7-1
victory as Moravian swept Elizabethtown College in Commonwealth Conference action Monday to
clinch a berth in the Commonwealth Conference playoffs. The Commonwealth Conference playoffs
will take place on May 4th and 5th at Lebanon Valley College. With one victory in a doubleheader
at Juniata College on Saturday, April 28th, the Greyhounds will clinch the second seed and
play the third seed Messiah College. In the first game, Moravian allowed a run in the
third inning to the Blue Jays but left the bases loaded to trail just 1-0. In the bottom
of the fourth inning, the Greyhounds took the lead with a pair of runs. Freshman centerfield
Janelle Brey doubled with one out and scored on a single by junior outfielder Summer Miller. Miller
would score on a RBI single by junior second baseman Laurie Rentschler. After giving
up two unearned runs in the top of the fifth inning to fall behind 3-2, the Greyhounds tied
the score in the bottom of the inning. Freshman third baseman Megan Smith, who entered
the game in the fifth inning, hit a single to left field and scored on a double by Brey. In
the seventh inning, Hummel would reach base on a one-out bunt base hit. She would move
to second on a single by freshman shortstop Melissa Soroka. Brey would walk to load the
bases with two outs before Elizabethtown pitcher Pam Pike, who had entered the game after Soroka’s
hit, threw a wild pitch on a 0-1 count to freshman first baseman Jenn Hastings that scored
Hummel. Brey was 2-for-3 in the game with two doubles while Soroka was 2-for-4. Junior
pitcher Rachel Mowrey moved to 12-3 on the season with the win. Mowrey allowed three
runs, one earned, on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts. In the second contest,
Weiner had a no-hitter through 4 2/3 innings before giving up a hit. The only run Weiner
allowed was one of two walks in the contest she gave up. Weiner had four strikeouts in
the game. The Greyhounds offense scored four times in the second inning on just one hit. Hastings
led off the inning and moved to second base on a sacrifice by Miller and to third on a wild
pitch. Junior designated player Deb Noble walked, one of four walks in the doubleheader
for Noble, to put runners on the corners. Noble would steal second base before Rentschler
hit a ground ball to the first baseman that was thrown away trying to get Hastings at the plate. Noble
scored as she beat out a fielder’s choice by junior catcher Stacy Matuczinski that was
thrown home. Soroka hit a sacrifice fly to score Rentschler and Smith would score on
a delayed steal as Matuczinski got in an intentional rundown between first and second base. Moravian
added two runs in the third inning on a RBI single by Rentschler and an Elizabethtown error. The
Greyhounds final run was scored in the fourth inning when Soroka scored on another Elizabethtown
error. Hastings and Rentschler were 2-for-4 in the game for the Greyhounds.
At Susquehanna University – Won 6-2 & Lost 1-0
Freshman first baseman Jenn Hastings had three hits and a RBI in the first game to lead Moravian
to a 6-2 victory over Susquehanna University in Commonwealth Conference action. The Crusaders
bounced back to win the second contest 1-0 on a two-hitter by sophomore Amy Kleman. The
Greyhounds scored first in the initial game with a single run in the third inning. Freshman
third baseman Megan Smith hit a one-out double and scored on a single by freshman outfielder
Janelle Brey. Moravian extended its lead to 2-0 in the fourth inning when junior outfielder
Summer Miller scored on a two-out double by junior designated player Deb Noble. Moravian
scored twice in the sixth inning on a squeeze bunt by Miller that scored Brey and Hastings
scored on a delayed steal. The Greyhounds added two more runs in the seventh inning with
freshman shortstop Melissa Soroka scored on a delay steal and junior second baseman Laurie
Rentschler crossed the plate on a single by Hastings. In the first contest, Noble had
two hits for Moravian in addition to the three from Hastings. Junior Rachel Mowrey picked
up her tenth win of the season on the mound for the Greyhounds, allowing two runs, one earned,
on eight hits and one walk with three strikeouts. In the second game, the Crusaders would
score an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning on an error in the Moravian outfield. Kleman
would make the run stand up as she allowed two hits to Soroka and a pair of walks. She
stranded all four Greyhounds on base. Freshman Donna Weiner suffered her seventh loss
of the season on the mound for the Greyhounds, including the third by the score of 1-0. Weiner
allowed just four hits and one walk while striking out three batters.
At Susquehanna University – Postponed until April 22nd
Due to poor field conditions and the threat of afternoon rain in Selinsgrove, the Greyhounds
Commonwealth Conference doubleheader at Susquehanna University has been postponed one day until
Sunday, April 22nd.
At Messiah College – Won 3-1 & Lost 1-0
Junior designated player Deb Noble hit a two-out, two-run single in the top of the sixth inning
to give Moravian a 3-0 lead in a 3-1 victory over host Messiah College in the first game of
a Commonwealth Conference doubleheader. The Falcons took the second game by the score
of 1-0. The victory in the first game gave the Greyhounds their seventh straight 20-win
season under head coach John Byrne. Moravian scored three times in the top of the sixth
inning of the first contest, all coming with two outs. Freshman outfielder Janelle Brey,
who was playing in her first contest in over a month due to a broken hand, started the rally
with a walk and she moved to second on a single by junior outfielder Sarah Leiby. Junior
outfielder Summer Miller reached on an error to load the bases and Brey would score on a passed
ball. Noble, who had two of the Greyhounds’ six hits in the game, came up and drove
a 1-1 pitch to right center field to score Leiby and Miller. Messiah got a run back in
the bottom of the seventh inning on a RBI ground out by Stacey Greiner. Moravian junior
Rachel Mowrey earned her tenth victory of the season on the mound, allowing four hits while
walking none and striking out none. In the second game, Messiah scored the only run of
the contest in the fourth inning on a RBI single by Cindy Moyer. The Greyhounds would
have several chances to score in the game but were unable to push a run across. Junior
catcher Stacy Matuczinski was thrown out at the plate trying to score from second base on a
single by Brey in the top of the sixth inning and the Greyhounds would leave runners at second
and third base in the top of the seventh inning. Freshman first baseman Jenn Hastings
had two of Moravian’s four hits in the second game with a double. Freshman Donna
Weiner suffered the loss on the mound for the Greyhounds despite allowing just five hits and
a walk while striking out two.
Vs. The College of New Jersey – Lost 3-2 (12 innings)
In a game that wasn’t scheduled until the day before, sophomore Jamie Cooperstein connected
on a 1-1 pitch in the top of the 12th inning for a two-run homerun that lifted The College
of New Jersey to a 3-2 victory over host Moravian in non-conference action. The Greyhounds),
playing for the first time in exactly two weeks, took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first
inning when freshman shortstop Melissa Soroka doubled to lead off the inning and scored on
a ground out by junior outfielder Summer Miller. The Lions (now 16-14 overall), tied
the game at 1-1 in the fourth inning and then the two schools, which decided not to use the
international tiebreaker rule since only one game was scheduled, stayed knotted at 1-1 until
the 12th inning. In the top of the 12th, Lion freshman Katye Altieri singled with one
out and scored on Cooperstein’s homer. The Greyhounds got one run back in the bottom
of the 12th inning and left the tying run at second base when freshman first baseman Jenn Hastings
reached on an error with two outs and scored on a double by junior outfielder Sarah Leiby. Junior
Rachel Mowrey started on the mound for Moravian and pitched four innings, allowing four hits
and one earned run. Freshman Donna Weiner entered in the fifth inning for the Greyhounds
and expected to pitch three innings but ended up tossing eight innings, allowing two runs on
seven hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
Vs. Delaware Valley College – Postponed to April 24th
Moravian has had its Middle Atlantic Conference doubleheader versus Delaware Valley College
for Thursday, April 19th postponed until Tuesday, April 24th due to a rescheduled conference
doubleheader for Delaware Valley.
At Messiah College – Postponed to April 20th
The Greyhounds have had their third straight doubleheader postponed due to poor weather and
field conditions. Moravian's Commonwealth Conference twinbill at Messiah College has
been rescheduled for Friday, April 20th at 3:00 p.m. in Grantham.
Vs. Elizabethtown College – Postponed to April 23rd
Moravian has had its Commonwealth Conference doubleheader versus Elizabethtown College for
Thursday, April 12th postponed until Monday, April 23rd due to poor field conditions in Bethlehem.
At Juniata College – Postponed to April 28th
Moravian has had its Commonwealth Conference doubleheader at Juniata College for Saturday,
April 7th postponed until Saturday, April 28th due to poor field conditions in Huntingdon.
Vs. Rowan University – Lost 3-1 & Lost 2-1
Sophomore pitchers Julie Undercuffler and Jen Stech and junior hurler Jamie Elias combined
to leave 17 Moravian runners on base and allowed just two runs to lead the Rowan University
softball team to a 3-1 & 2-1 doubleheader sweep of Moravian in non-conference action. Moravian,
which received its first-ever national ranking on Wednesday (19th in the first National Fastpitch
Coaches Association NCAA Division III Poll of the Year), falls to 19-7 on the season and has
now lost three straight games. In the first contest, the Greyhounds would tie the game
at 1-1 in the bottom of the first inning when freshman shortstop Melissa Soroka walked and
scored on a two-out double by freshman first baseman Jenn Hastings. Undercuffler stranded
Hastings on base, the first of nine Greyhounds left on in the game. Undercuffler, who
is 3-0 on the season, did allow eight hits but no Moravian runner reached third bases after
Soroka scored. Rowan scored a pair of unearned runs in the fifth inning. Moravian
junior pitcher Rachel Mowrey suffered just her third loss of the season (9-3) while allowing
nine hits with no walks and three strikeouts. Junior catcher Stacy Matuczinski was 3-for-3
in the game for the Greyhounds. In the second game, Moravian scored its only run of the
game in the fifth inning when freshman third baseman Megan Smith scored on ground out by junior
second baseman Laurie Rentschler. Smith was 2-for-3 in the game while Soroka went 3-for-4. Moravian
freshman pitcher Donna Weiner allowed just four hits to Rowan with a hit batsman and three
strikeouts. For Rowan, Stech allowed six hits and one earned run in four-plus innings
of action for her fourth win of the season while Elias gave up two hits and earned her second
save of the season. The pair combined to leave eight Moravian runners on base, including
the tying run at second base in the bottom of the seventh inning.
At Albright College – Won 5-2 & Lost 3-0
Freshman shortstop Melissa Soroka went 2-for-4 with a homerun and three RBIs and junior pitcher
Rachel Mowrey picked up her third win of the season as Moravian team earned a 5-2 victory over
Albright College in the first game of a Commonwealth Conference doubleheader but Albright’s
Shannon Kline scattered six hits in a 3-0 shutout for the Lions in game two. In the first
contest, the Greyhounds scored first in the top of the second inning when junior designated
player Deb Noble reached on a two-base error with one out. Junior second baseman Laurie
Rentschler followed with a double to score Noble. Moravian would extend its lead to 2-0
in the third inning when Soroka connected on a 3-1 pitch for her third homer of the season
over the right centerfield fence. Two of Soroka’s three homers and five of Moravian’s
seven dingers this season have been solo shots. The Greyhounds would make the lead 4-0
in the fourth inning as Rentschler and freshman outfielder Jessica Esposito, who had both reached
on errors, scored on a Soroka single up the middle. Moravian would finish the scoring
in game one with a leadoff double by Noble in the sixth inning, a sacrifice bunt by Rentschler
and a two-out single up the middle by freshman third baseman Megan Smith. Mowrey allowed
eight hits and an intentional walk while striking out two for the victory on the mound. In
the second game, freshman Donna Weiner suffered the loss on the mound for Moravian, just her
third of the season, giving up six hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Noble had
Moravian’s only extra-base hit in game two with a double.
Vs. Widener University – Won 1-0 (8 innings) & Won 2-1
Junior catcher Stacy Matuczinski drove in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning
of the first game and the bottom of the second inning of the second contest to lead the Greyhounds
to a doubleheader sweep, 1-0 in eight innings and 2-1, of Widener University in Commonwealth
Conference action. In the first game, both teams were scoreless in the bottom of the
eighth inning when Moravian junior designated player Deb Noble reached on an error. After
freshman Megan Smith was inserted as a pinch runner, junior Laurie Rentschler laid down a sacrifice
bunt that Widener threw into centerfield trying to throw Smith out at second base. A
sacrifice bunt by freshman Jessica Esposito put runners at second and third when Widener decided
to intentionally walk senior outfielder Missy Hummel to load the bases. After freshman
shortstop Melissa Soroka, who had Moravian's only two hits in the game at that point, flied
out to left, Matuczinski lined a ball into right field to score Smith and end the game. Junior
Rachel Mowrey earned the victory on the mound, her eighth of the season, by scattering seven
hits while walking one and striking out three batters. In the second contest, Moravian
trailed 1-0 in the second inning when Noble led off with a double. Rentschler sacrificed
her to third base and Noble would sore on a single by Esposito. Soroka drew a two-out
walk before Matuczinski singled to left field and score Esposito from second base. Noble
finished the game 3-for-3 with two doubles. Freshman pitcher Donna Weiner scattered three
hits and had one walk and five strikeouts in her ninth win of the season.
Vs. Ursinus College – Won 2-1 (10 innings) & Won 8-5
Freshman shortstop Melissa Soroka drove in the winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning
of game one and freshman first baseman Jenn Hastings went 3-for- in the second game as Moravian
earned a doubleheader sweep of Ursinus College, 2-1 in 10 innings and 8-5, in non-conference
action. In the first game, Ursinus had scored a single run in the third inning. The
Greyhounds tied the game in the sixth inning when Hastings hit a single to left field to score
Soroka, who had started the inning with an infield single. Moravian left the bases loaded
in the sixth inning. In the tenth inning, using the international tiebreaker, Ursinus
tried to score a runner from third on a lineout to left field but Moravian junior Sarah Leiby
threw a strike to Soroka, who then relayed the ball to junior catcher Stacy Matuczinski for
the third out at the plate. The Greyhounds had senior outfielder Missy Hummel sacrifice
bunt to move their runner, junior second baseman Laurie Rentschler to third but Ursinus committed
an error on the play and Rentschler was thrown out at the plate but Hummel went to second. Soroka
lined a 0-1 pitch into the right centerfield gap to score Hummel and end the game. Soroka
was 2-for 5 in the first contest while junior outfielder Summer Miller was 2-for-3 in the game. Junior
pitcher Rachel Mowrey earned her seventh win of the season on the mound. In the second
contest, Moravian took a 3-1 lead in the third inning with two runs, one on an Ursinus error
and the other off a RBI single by Hastings. Moravian took control of the game in the
fourth inning with four runs to make the lead 7-2 at that point. Rentschler drove in
a run with a ground out while Soroka had a RBI single and Miller hit a two-RBI single. Hummel
and junior designated player Deb Noble were each 2-for-3 in the second game while Rentschler
drove in two runs and Hummel scored three. Freshman Donna Weiner picked up her eighth
win of the season on the mound, allowing eight hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
Vs. Lebanon Valley College – Lost 7-6 (8 innings) & Won 14-1 (5 innings)
The Greyhounds earned a doubleheader split with Lebanon Valley College in the opening Commonwealth
Conference doubleheader for both schools, losing the first game 7-6 in eight innings after
blowing a 2-0 lead and rebounding to win the second game 14-1 in five innings. In the
first game for Moravian, freshman outfielder Jenn Hastings, the Commonwealth Conference Player
of the Week, went three-for-four with three RBIs. Freshman shortstop Melissa Soroka,
junior designated player Deb Noble and junior second baseman Laurie Rentschler were each two-for-four
in the contest with Soroka scoring two runs and hitting a double. Junior Rachel Mowrey
suffered just her second loss of the season on the mound despite not walking a batter and striking
out three. Moravian had a 2-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning, when Mowrey threw
a ball into centerfield trying to get a double play with runners on the corners. Lebanon
Valley came up with two doubles and a triple in the next four batters to take a 5-2 lead. The
Greyhounds tied the game in the bottom of the seventh inning on a bases-loaded ground out by
junior outfielder Summer Miller and a two-RBI single by Hastings. Lebanon Valley got
two runs in the top of the eighth inning. Moravian would get one back in the bottom of
the inning on a fielder’s choice on a ball hit by senior first baseman Missy Hummel. The
Greyhounds would leave two runners on base in the eighth and a total of eight runners for the
game. In the second game, the Greyhounds were trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the second
inning when they scored five runs on RBI singles from Rentschler, Hummel, Soroka and Hastings
and a bases loaded walk by junior catcher Stacy Matuczinski. The Greyhounds would erupt
for nine more runs in the fourth inning on a triple by Soroka and RBI singles from Miller,
freshman third baseman Jessica Esposito and Rentschler. Hummel drove in two runs with
a single and Soroka capped the scoring with a three-run homerun to left field into a strong
wind. The homer was the second of the season for Soroka. Soroka was three-for-four
in the game with five RBIs, three runs scored, a triple and the homer while Hummel was three-for-three
with 3 RBIs and three runs scored. Miller was also three-for-four in the game with two
RBIs while Rentschler was two-for-three. Freshman pitcher Donna Weiner earned her seventh
win of the season on the mound, allowing just three hits while walking three batters and striking
out three.
Vs. Haverford College – Won 8-0 (5 innings) & Won 14-2 (5 innings)
The Greyhounds earned a doubleheader sweep of Haverford College in a non-conference games,
winning both contests in five innings, 8-0 and 14-2. Moravian pounded out 22 hits in
the twinbill and used three pitchers that allowed just eight hits and two unearned runs. In
the first game, junior catcher Stacy Matuczinski went 2-for-2 with three RBIs and a double
while freshman shortstop Melissa Soroka was 2-for-3 with a double and freshman outfielder/catcher
Jenn Hastings was 2-for-3. Junior designated player Deb Noble drove in a pair of runs
for Moravian. Freshman Donna Weiner earned the victory on the mound, going three innings
and giving up a hits and striking out one. Sophomore Jill Simms tossed the final two
innings of game one and allowed one hit. In the second contest, Hastings went 4-for-4
at the plate with five RBIs, a double and a triple while Matuczinski was 2-for-2 with a double
and a RBI. Freshman outfielder Jessica Esposito drove in three runs and had a double. Junior
second baseman Laurie Rentschler picked up two hits in the game as did freshman third baseman
Megan Smith. Freshman Jessica Naugle earned her first career victory on the mound, going
the distance and allowing six hits and two unearned runs while striking out two batters.
Vs. Muhlenberg College – Won 3-1 & Won 3-1
Junior designated player Deb Noble ripped a two-run double in the sixth inning of the first
game and the Greyhounds scored a run in each of the first three innings of the second contest
to give the Moravian College softball team a pair of 3-1 victories over rival Muhlenberg College
in the home opener for Moravian. In the first contest, Moravian had taken a 1-0 lead
in the first inning when freshman shortstop Janelle Brey drove in freshman outfielder Melissa
Soroka with a two-out single. Soroka had started the inning by reaching on an error by
the Muhlenberg outfield. Brey would leave the game at the end of the inning after jamming
a finger on her throwing hand into first base while diving back on a Muhlenberg pickoff attempt. Junior
outfielder Summer Miller started the bottom of the sixth inning with a walk and she moved to
second base on a sacrifice by freshman outfielder Jenn Hastings. Junior outfielder Sarah
Leiby singled to left and moved to second on a throw home to prevent Miller from scoring. Noble
hit a 0-1 pitch to the left-centerfield gap to scored Miller and Leiby and put Moravian ahead
for good. Junior pitcher Rachel Mowrey limited the Mules to six hits, the one run, which
was unearned, two walks and three strikeouts to earn her sixth win of the season. In
the second game that saw all nine Moravian starters get a hit, the Greyhounds would score in
the bottom of the first inning on a two-out single by Hastings that scored junior catcher Stacy
Matuczinski, who had singled with one out. Moravian scored a run in the second inning
when Soroka drove in Noble with two outs and runners on the corners. The Greyhounds final
runs would come in the third inning when Miller led off with a double and scored on a single
by Leiby. Moravian freshman Donna Weiner picked up her fifth win of the season on the
mound, allowing five hits and four walks while striking out two.
Vs. Frostburg State (MD) University at Salisbury State Sea Gull Invitational – Won
11-0 (5 innings)
The Greyhounds closed out their second straight tournament with a winning record as the squad
defeated Frostburg State (MD) University, 11-0 in five innings, to finish the Salisbury State
University Sea Gull Invitational with a 3-1 record. Moravian scored four runs in the
second inning and seven more in the third inning for the win. Junior pitcher Rachel Mowrey
tossed three shutout innings with three walks and freshman pitcher Jessica Naugle tossed two
scoreless innings with two hits and two strikeouts. At the plate, the Greyhounds pounded
out 15 hits led by three hits off the bats of freshmen Melissa Soroka, Jenn Hastings and Megan
Smith. Soroka added three RBIs and a double. Junior Laurie Rentschler had two hits
and two RBIs while freshman Janelle Brey had two RBIs.
Vs. Wilkes University at Salisbury State Sea Gull Invitational – Won 1-0
Freshman pitcher Donna Weiner tossed a one-hit shutout with three strikeouts and junior outfielder
Sarah Leiby drove in the games only run as the Greyhounds defeated Wilkes University in the
Salisbury State University Sea Gull Invitational. Freshman shortstop Janelle Brey was
two-for-three in the game with a double and scored on Leiby's one-out single in the second
inning.
Vs. Cabrini College at Salisbury State Sea Gull Invitational – Lost 3-2 (8 innings)
Moravian fell to Cabrini College for the second time in a week in the second game of the Salisbury
State Sea Gull Invitational in an extra-inning contest, 3-2 in eight innings. The Greyhounds
trailed 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning when the squad scored two runs. Senior
first baseman Missy Hummel scored on a single by freshman shortstop Janelle Brey and junior
catcher Stacy Matuczinski scored on an error. Moravian had a chance in the bottom of
the eighth inning with runners on second and third with one out but a line drive off the bat
of junior second baseman Laurie Rentschler turned into a double play to end the game. Brey,
Matuczinski and Hummel each had two hits in the contest. Junior Rachel Mowrey suffered
her first loss of the season on the mound, allowing six hits, three runs and four walks while
striking out four.
Vs. Bates (ME) College at Salisbury State Sea Gull Invitational – Won 8-0
The Greyhounds opened the Salisbury State Sea Gull Invitational with an 8-0 victory over Bates
(ME) College behind three homeruns. Freshman outfielder Melissa Soroka led off the third
inning with her first collegiate homerun, a solo shot. Freshman shortstop Janelle Brey
connected on her third homer of the season with a solo homerun in the sixth inning. Freshman
third baseman Jessica Esposito hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning, the first of her
career. Brey was 3-for-4 with three RBIs, three runs scored and a double in the game
while Esposito went 2-for-3 in the contest. Junior catcher Stacy Matuczinski added two
hits in the contest. Freshman pitcher Donna Weiner earned the victory allowing just three
hits and walking six with seven strikeouts.
Vs. University of LaVerne (CA) at NFCA Leadoff Classic – Lost 1-0
The Greyhounds were limited to a pair of singles by junior outfielder Sarah Leiby and a single
off the bat of junior second baseman Laurie Rentschler as Moravian fell to LaVerne (CA) College
in the Consolation Finals of the Gold Championship Bracket at the National Fastpitch Coaches
Association NCAA Division III Leadoff Classic in LaGrange, Georgia. The Leopards touched
Moravian starter freshman Donna Weiner for a single run in the fifth inning. Weiner game
up seven hits and walked four batters but stranded ten LaVerne runners on base.
Vs. Pacific Lutheran (WA) University at NFCA Leadoff Classic – Won 9-1 (5 innings)
Moravian fell behind 1-0 to Pacific Lutheran (WA) University, ranked fifth in the National
Fastpitch Coaches Association Preseason Top 25 Poll, but the Greyhounds responded with nine
runs in the next four innings to defeat the Lutes, 9-1, in the Gold Championship Bracket Consolation
Semifinals of the NFCA NCAA Division III Leadoff Classic in La Grange, Georgia. The win
was the 200th of Moravian head coach John Byrne's career. Moravian tied the game in the
second inning when freshman third baseman Jessica Esposito, making her first start of the season,
hit a single to left field. After a sacrifice but moved Esposito to second, juniors designated
player Deb Noble and second baseman Laurie Rentschler followed with singles to score Esposito. The
Greyhounds would add three runs in the fourth inning on a two-run error by Pacific Lutheran
and a single by freshman outfielder Melissa Soroka. Moravian would break the game open
with five runs in the top of the fifth inning, all coming with two outs. Freshman shortstop
Janelle Brey started things with her second homerun of the tournament, a solo shot to center. Esposito
followed with her third hit of the game and moved to second on a single by junior outfielder
Sarah Leiby. Freshman Jenn Hastings earned a walk as a pinch hitter to load the bases
and Esposito would score on a walk by Rentschler. Senior first baseman Missy Hummel bunted
a ball that was misplayed by the Lutes to score another run. The final two runs scored
when the Lutes right fielder dropped a fly ball hit by Soroka.
Vs. Cabrini College at NFCA Leadoff Classic – Lost 4-0
The Greyhounds were limited to singles by freshman outfielder Melissa Soroka and senior first
baseman Missy Hummel as the squad lost for the first time in 2001, falling to Cabrini College
in the quarterfinals of the Gold Championship Bracket at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association
NCAA Division III Leadoff Classic in La Grange, GA. Moravian gave up three unearned runs
in the 4-0 loss by committing four errors. Freshman pitcher Donna Weiner suffered her
first collegiate loss in the game, allowing six hits and four walks while striking out four
batters. Moravian will play in the Gold Championship Bracket Consolation semifinals on
Sunday.
Vs. North Carolina Wesleyan College at NFCA Leadoff Classic – Won 1-0
Junior pitcher Rachel Mowrey tossed a two-hit shutout with three strikeouts and no walks to
lead Moravian to a 1-0 victory over North Carolina Wesleyan College in the final game of pool
play in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association NCAA Division III Leadoff Classic in La
Grange, GA. Moravian won its pool at 3-0 and moves onto the Gold Championship bracket
this evening. The Greyhounds scored their lone run of the contest in the fourth inning. Junior
outfielder Summer Miller led off with a single and was followed by a double from freshman shortstop
Janelle Brey. Miller tried to score on Brey's hit and had appeared to slide around the
catcher but she was called out on the play. Junior designated player Deb Noble singled
up the middle to put Brey on third with one out. Freshman outfielder Jenn Hastings infield
ground out scored Brey to give Mowrey all the offense she would need in the contest as she
retired the final nine batters in a row.
Vs. Willamette (OR) University at NFCA Leadoff Classic – Won 4-3
Freshman shortstop Janelle Brey tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo
homerun and freshman centerfielder Melissa Soroka drove in the winning run with two outs in
the bottom of the seventh inning as the Greyhounds stayed undefeated on the season, defeated
#24 Willamette (OR) University, 4-3 in the second game of pool play at the National Fastpitch
Coaches Association NCAA Division III Leadoff Classic in La Grange, GA. Moravian, ranked
30th in the nation, jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a walk by Soroka, a sacrifice
bunt by junior catcher Stacy Matuczinski and a double by junior outfielder Summer Miller. The
Greyhounds led 2-1 after two innings when freshman outfielder Jenn Hastings reached on an error
and scored on another error. Willamette took a 3-2 lead on a pair of Moravian errors
in the third inning and kept the lead until Brey's first collegiate homerun in the sixth. Brey
connected on a 1-1 pitch and drove the ball 60 feet past the 190 fence down the left field
line. Junior second baseman Laurie Rentschler smacked a one-out double to get things
started in the seventh inning and moved to third on a wild pitch before Soroka's 2-2 line drive
up the middle to win the game. Freshman Donna Weiner earned the victory on the mound
despite allowing five walks. She gave up three runs, two earned, on six hits with one
strikeout.
Vs. Buena Vista (IA) University at NFCA Leadoff Classic – Won 5-1
Moravian jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second inning on its way to a 5-1 win over Buena
Vista (IA) University in the first game of pool play at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association
NCAA Division III Leadoff Classic at Shuford Fields in La Grange, GA. Freshman shortstop
Janelle Brey led of the inning by reaching second when the Beavers' centerfielder dropped a
fly ball. Junior designated player Deb Noble walked and freshman outfielder Jenn Hastings
had an infield single to lead the bases. After an out, junior second baseman Laurie Rentschler
and senior first baseman Missy Hummel each had hits to score Brey and Noble. Freshman
outfielder Melissa Soroka was up next a ripped a base-clearing triple to centerfield. Junior
pitcher Rachel Mowrey moved to 2-0 on the season while allowing one unearned run, five hits
and two walks while striking out two batters. Hastings and Soroka each had two hits in
the game for the Greyhounds.
At La Grange (GA) College – Won 14-4 & Won 8-3
The Greyhounds opened up the 2001 season with a doubleheader sweep of LaGrange College, 14-1 & 8-3,
as a tune-up for the National Fastpitch Coaches Association NCAA Division III Leadoff Classic
in LaGrange this weekend. Junior pitcher Rachel Mowrey tossed a one-hitter in the first
game with eight strikeouts, no walks and an unearned run. Mowrey set down the first nine
batters of the contest, seven on strikeouts. Junior designated player Deb Noble was three-for-four
in the game with two RBIs while freshman shortstop Janelle Brey was two-for-four with two RBIs
and a double. Freshman outfielder Jenn Hastings was also two-for-four in the contest. Freshman
pitcher Donna Weiner tossed a five-hitter in the second contest with 11 strikeouts, no walks
and three unearned runs. Brey, Hastings and freshman outfielder Melissa Soroka were each
three-for-five in the game. Brey added a double and a RBI while Hastings had a RBI and
Soroka had two RBIs and a double. Junior third baseman Sarah Leiby collected two hits
in the win.
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