Monday, March 15, 2004

SIX GREYHOUNDS HONORED AS MORAVIAN COLLEGE
STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

BETHLEHEM, PA --- Junior Heather Bortz (Allentown, PA/Parkland HS), seniors Janelle Brey (Allentown, PA/Dieruff HS) and Jenn Hastings (Pottstown, PA/Owen J. Roberts HS) and sophomore Meagan Hennessy (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Township HS) of the softball team, freshman Daniel Larson (Dover, DE/Dover HS) from the men’s lacrosse squad and senior Jason Toedter (Easton, PA/Easton HS) of the men’s tennis team have been named the Moravian College Student-Athletes of the Week for their performances last week.

Bortz, a shortstop, led Moravian to a 6-0 record last week, the championship of the 2004 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Leadoff Classic and extended her school-record hitting streak to 27 consecutive games. Bortz hit .542 at the NFCA leadoff classic with 13 hits in 24 at-bats. She opened the tournament with a three-for-four performance and a run scored in Moravian’s 3-0 win against defending national champion and second-ranked Central (IA) College and then went three-for-five with two runs scored and a stolen base in a 13-6 victory versus Roanoke (VA) College. Bortz was two-for-four in both games on the second day of the tournament as Moravian defeated #21 Capital (OH) University, 4-0, and #12 Methodist (NC) College, 11-3 in five innings. Bortz added an RBI and a run scored in the game versus Methodist. She was one-for-three with a double and a run scored in Moravian’s 4-0 victory over #11 and previously unbeaten Alma (MI) College. Bortz finished the tournament with a two-for-four game, two runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base in Moravian’s 7-3 win over previously unbeaten East Texas Baptist University. Bortz was also perfect in the field in 24 chances in the field with 16 putouts and eight assists.

Brey, the Greyhounds’ third baseman, had a .429 batting average at the NFCA Leadoff Classic with nine hits in 21 at-bats. She added six runs scored, three doubles, two home runs and nine RBIs. Brey drove in six runs in the Greyhounds’ victory versus Roanoke with a sacrifice fly, a solo home run and a grand slam. Brey also drew three walks and had a stolen base. In 27 chances in the field, Brey had eight putouts, 18 assists and just one error. Brey was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Hastings, a designated hitter, posted a .400 batting average in the NFCA Leadoff Classic with eight hits in 20 at-bats. Hastings added four runs scored, three doubles and six RBIs. She drove in all three of the Greyhounds’ runs in the victory versus Central (IA), and Hastings was four-for-four in championship game versus East Texas Baptist. Hastings was also named to the All-Tournament Team. Moravian is 9-1 overall and will return to action on Saturday, March 20th in a non-conference doubleheader at Haverford College beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Hennessy, a pitcher, was named the Most Valuable Player of the NFCA Leadoff Classic after posting a 4-0 record, a 0.75 ERA, 21 strikeouts and shutouts of three of the top 21 teams in the country. Hennessy began the tournament with 3-0 shutout of Central (IA). She allowed just two hits and a walk while striking out three batters. Hennessy then defeated Capital (OH), 4-0, with a three-hit shutout. She did not allow any walks to the Crusaders and struck out six batters. Hennessy earned her third straight shutout with a 2-0 victory versus Alma (MI) in the semifinal game. She allowed five hits and two walks while striking out nine batters. Hennessy completed the NFCA Leadoff Classic by defeating East Texas Baptist, 7-3, in the championship game. She allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three batters. Hennessy also had one putout and nine assists in ten chances last week.

Larson, an attack, led Moravian to a 1-1 record last week against NCAA Division II competition during the Greyhounds’ spring break trip. Larson had three goals and five ground balls as Moravian suffered its first loss of the season to Mars Hill (NC) College, 15-10. Larson then led the Greyhounds in scoring with four goals and two assists in Moravian’s 14-9 victory versus Franklin Pierce (NH) College. Moravian is 2-1 overall and returns to action on Wednesday, March 17th in a non-conference match at Muhlenberg College beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Toedter, Moravian’s top singles player, helped the Greyhounds open the season with a 2-0 mark in matches played in Florida. Toedter had a straight sets victories in Moravian’s wins versus Ursinus College, 4-3, and Hiram (OH) College, 5-2. He also won a doubles match with sophomore Nick Schuett (Oviedo, FL/Oviedo HS), at second doubles versus Hiram. Moravian will return to action on Thursday, March 16th in a non-conference match versus Wilkes University at 3:00 p.m.