Byrne Earns 600th Career Win as Softball Sweeps Delaware Valley

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. --- Moravian College Head Softball Coach John Byrne picked up his 600th career victory Monday in the second game of a non-conference doubleheader sweep at Delaware Valley College as the Greyhounds won the first game 7-2 and took the nightcap 4-1 to extend their winning streak to seven games.

Byrne becomes the 14th active NCAA Division III softball coach and the 20th Division III coach of all-time to reach 600 career wins.  Byrne has a record of 600-189 in his 19th season as Moravian's head coach that has seen him lead the program to three NCAA Division III World Series appearances with a runner-up finish in 2004, 13 NCAA Division III playoff berths, 15 conference playoff appearances and 14 conference championships including the first four Landmark Conference titles.

Byrne entered the 2012 season as the 15th winningest softball coach in NCAA history among all NCAA Division I, Division II and Division III in winning percentage.  Bryne started the year with a .760 winning percentage at 581-182.  Of the 14 coaches ahead of Byrne in winning percentage, ten are still active coaches and four are fellow Division III coaches.  The list includes Mike Candrea, the head coach at The University of Arizona, and it is led by John Tschida, the head coach at the University of St. Thomas (Minn.), who defeated Byrne for 2004 national title.

The Greyhounds jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning of the opening game.  Senior pitcher Jenna Carmon walked with one out and eventually scored on a two-out, bases loaded wild pitch.

Moravian would extend its lead to 5-0 with four runs in the top of the fourth inning.  Sophomore designated player Taylor Mihalik had an infield single with an out after junior first baseman Amanda Dizinno had doubles.  After the second out of the inning, Mihalik scored on an RBI single by freshman outfielder Dior George.  Sophomore outfielder Miranda Sergas  followed with a two-RBI triple before Carmon added an RBI single. 

The Greyhounds added a run for a 6-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning.  Junior third baseman Shannen Mohr hit a fly ball to the outfield and an error allowed Sergas to score.  Moravian left the bases loaded in the inning for the second time in the game.

The Aggies would get on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the sixth inning with a pair of runs to cut Moravian's lead to 6-2.  Shortstop Jackie Wear led off the inning with a single and stole second base before scoring on an RBI double by outfielder Erin Fox.  First baseman Dani Walton followed with an RBI single to score Fox.

Moravian added a run in the top of the seventh inning for a 7-2 advantage.  George singled with one out, stole second, and scored on an RBI double by Sergas.

The Greyhounds had a 14-9 edge in hits in the opening game with Sergas going four-for-five with three RBIs while George was three-for-five.  Carmon and Mihalik each went two-for-four in the game.  Wear was three-for-four to lead Delaware Valley at the plate while Fox went two-for-four.

Carmon improved to 9-4 on the year in the circle with the victory that included two runs on nine hits to go with five strikeouts.  Carmon also moved into second in school history in innings pitched, now at 544 2/3 innings in her career.

Freshman Alexis Boucher took the loss for the Aggies after giving up five runs on nine hits with a walk and two strikeouts in four innings of action.  Senior Keri Hardiman tossed the final three innings, allowing two runs, one of them earned, on five hits.

In the second game, the Greyhounds jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning.  George led off with a double and scored on an RBI double by Sergas.  Sergas would then cross the plate on an RBI single from sophomore designated player Cassie Ernst.

Moravian pushed its lead to 3-0 with a run in the top half of the fourth inning.  Freshman outfielder Jenn Dalickas led off the inning with a double, and she scored on an RBI single from freshman pitcher Lizzie Mack.

The Greyhounds added a run in the top of the seventh inning to extend the lead to 4-0.  Carmon came in as a pinch hitter and reached on an error.  With two outs, Dizinno ripped an RBI single to score Carmon.

Delaware Valley would get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the seventh inning on an RBI single from Fox but it wasn't enough.

Each team had nine hits in the second game with Mack going two-for-three to lead Moravian.  Junior shortstop Allison Tomasino was three-for-four to lead the Aggies in the second game while Fox went two-for-four and senior second baseman Sarah Lazar was two-for-three.

Mack improved to 3-1 in the circle for Moravian with her third straight victory in the circle.  She allowed a run on nine hits and two walks while striking out five batters.  Sophomore Whitney Stacey took the loss for DVC, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk to go with a strikeout in 5 1/3 innings.  Hardiman tossed the final 1 2/3 innings with an unearned run on one hit.

Moravian will return to action on Thursday, April 12 in a non-conference doubleheader at rival Muhlenberg College beginning at 3:00 p.m.