Softball Slips Past TCNJ, 5-4, in Elimination Game at NCAA Union, N.J. Regional

UNION, N.J. --- The second seed Moravian College softball team scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to post a 5-4 victory over fourth seed The College of New Jersey in an elimination game at the NCAA Division III Tournament Union, N.J. Regional Saturday.

The Greyhounds, now 34-10 on the year, will play in the final elimination game of the day on Saturday versus the winner of the second elimination game between fifth seed Alvernia University and seventh seed Centenary (N.J.) College.  The Lions finish the season at 26-17.

Moravian took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when freshman outfielder Dior George led off the inning with a solo home run down the left field line, her second homer of the season.

The Lions answered with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning to move in front, 2-1.  Senior first baseman Katelyn Congilose hit an RBI single to score junior third baseman Kelly Hommen, who had reached on a fielder's choice.  TCNJ moved in front when senior outfielder Crystal Lee drew a two-out, 3-2 bases loaded walk to score Congilose with the go ahead run.

The Greyhounds would get sophomore outfielder Taylor Mihalik to second base in the home half of the second inning with a walk and a sacrifice bunt, but she would be stranded in scoring position.

TCNJ had a runner at third base in the top of the third with junior second baseman Ashley Sogluizzo leading off with a single but Moravian senior pitcher Jenna Carmon would get out of the inning without allowing a run.

Moravian had a base runner in the bottom of the third on a two-out single by sophomore catcher Cassie Ernst; however, the Greyhounds were unable to tie the game.

Congilose led off the top of the fourth for the Lions with a double to left field.  Sophomore Corinne Minicozzi would come into pinch run for Congilose, and she scored on a two-out RBI single from Lee to put TCNJ up 3-1 halfway through the game.

he Greyhounds pushed three runs across the plate in the bottom of the fourth to move back in front, 4-3.  Junior designated player Alyssa Fegely led off the inning with a double down the left field line as she slid head first under the tag at second base.  Junior third baseman Shannen Mohr followed with an RBI double over the left fielder's head to score Fegely.  After the Lions brought in sophomore Alex Carisone to pitch for senior starter Lauren Fitzsimmons, a sacrifice bunt by Mihalik moved freshman pinch runner Byranna Gifford to third base.  Junior shortstop Brook Kowal tied the game with an RBI double to left center field off of the centerfielder's glove to score Gifford.  George drew a walk and Carmon reached on a two-out single through the right side to load the bases.  Ersnt then hit an RBI single to score Kowal with the go ahead run, but George was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

After the game, Moravian head coach John Byrne presents senior Jenna Carmon with her diploma since her college graduation took place at the same time as the game.

Sogluizzo led off the top fifth with a walk for the Lions, and she moved in scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by junior outfielder Liz Huttner.  After a ground out, sophomore designated player Nicole Brodbeck connected on an RBI single to left field to score Sogluizzo and tie the game at 4-4. For the first time in the game, Moravian would go down in order at the plate to keep the game tied at 4-4.  The Lions would follow suit in the top of the sixth inning.

George reached on an error with two outs in the bottom of the sixth for the Greyhounds; however, sophomore outfielder Miranda Sergas flew out to the fence in left field to end the inning.

In the top of the seventh for TCNJ, Sogluizzo singled with one out, and Huttner followed with a single to right field.  Junior third baseman Kelly Hommen connected on an infield single to shortstop to load the bases.  Carmon would get a pair of ground outs to end the inning.

Carmon led off the home half of the seventh with a double to right center field.  After an out, Dizinno would double to left centerfield as Lee made a sliding attempt at the ball to keep Carmon from scoring.  Fegely grounded out for the second out of the inning before Mohr reached on an error that let Carmon score the winning run.

TCNJ had an 11-10 edge in hits with Huttner going two-for-two and Sogluizzo posting a two-for-three performance.  Brodbeck and Congilose were both two-for-four.  Carmon led the Greyhounds at the plate with a three-for-four day while Ernst was two-for-three.

Carmon improved to 21-5 in the circle for Moravian, allowing four runs on 11 hits and two walks for her 74th career win.

Carisone took the loss for the Lions after giving up two runs, one earned, on five hits and walk to go with one strikeout in 3.2 innings.  Fitzsimmons tossed the first three-plus innings and allowed three runs on five hits and a walk to go along with one strikeout.