Wednesday, May 14, 2003

FIVE GREYHOUNDS NAMED TO NCAA REGIONAL ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

MAHWAH, NJ --- Juniors Janelle Brey (Allentown, PA/Dieruff HS), Jessica Esposito (Madison, NJ/Madison HS), and Melissa Soroka (Newton, NJ/Pope John XXIII HS), sophomore Heather Bortz (Allentown, PA/Parkland HS) and freshman Meagan Hennessy (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Township HS) of the Moravian College softball team were named to the 2003 NCAA Division III Regional All-Tournament Team for their performances last weekend.

The Greyhounds finished as the runner-up at the 2003 NCAA Regional hosted by Ramapo College of New Jersey last weekend. Moravian posted a 3-2 record with victory over the United States Merchant Marine Academy (10-3), Salisbury (MD) University, 3-2, and Ramapo (9-4) and a pair of losses to Salisbury (3-2 and 9-2) in the double-elimination tournament. Moravian’s runner-up finish was the program’s best-ever finish in six trips to the NCAA Regionals, and the Greyhounds posted a 32-10 record for the season.

Brey, a third baseman, hit .438 in Moravian’s five games with seven hits in 16 at-bats. Brey added five runs scored, five RBIs, 14 total bases, two doubles, a triple and a home run. Brey also added six putouts, 12 assists and one error in 19 chances in the field.

Esposito, an outfielder, also hit .438 during the tournament with seven hits in 16 at-bats. Esposito contributed 11 total bases, two doubles, a triple and an RBI while making four putouts.

Soroka, an outfielder, hit .333 in the regional with five hits in 15 at-bats. Soroka also had four runs scored, two RBIs, two stolen bases and four putouts.

Bortz, a shortstop, led Moravian in hitting with a .529 average after collecting nine hits in 17 at-bats. Bortz contributed four runs scored, four RBIs, 13 total bases, a double and a home run, which was an inside-the-park grand slam versus Ramapo that rallied Moravian for the victory in the game. Bortz was also perfect in the field, making 14 putouts and six assists in 20 chances.

Hennessy, a pitcher, tossed all three games Moravian played against Salisbury in the tournament. Hennessy had a 1-2 record, a 4.67 ERA, 13 runs allowed, 12 were earned, 24 hits, five walks and 16 strikeouts in 18 innings of action. Hennessy also had one putout and five assists.