Softball Squad Seeks Return to Championship Culture in 2014
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – When a successful streak comes to an end, two things can happen: a streak of the opposite influence can begin, or a new winning streak can take root immediately.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – When a successful streak comes to an end, two things can happen: a streak of the opposite influence can begin, or a new winning streak can take root immediately.
The Moravian College softball team is keyed in on the latter after its reign of 13 straight conference championship seasons ended in the 2013 Landmark Conference Tournament. Head coach John Byrne, entering his 21st season at Moravian having secured 646 wins and three NCAA World Series appearances, knows that fact will instill a drive in his Greyhounds that was never dormant, but possibly needed a final push to reach a new level.
"The tables have turned right now, but that's not necessarily a bad thing," Byrne said. "Sometimes you need a wakeup call. You can't take anything for granted because you won 13 in a row. You still have to go out and play. I've only had one goal every year I've coached and that's to win a national championship. There's a process to take to that goal, and winning each game along the way is just part of that process. That's why these players came here; to have the chance to compete at that level."
There is no complicated formula to achieve this success, according to the veteran headman. The Greyhounds finished the 2013 season with a 30-12 overall record, the program's 13th consecutive 30-win season. A group of award-winning individuals with a team-first mindset put together the Greyhounds' 32nd winning season in its 34-year history.
It's that kind of tradition that has Moravian's opponents reaching to new heights to defeat such a storied program.
"Every team gets up to play Moravian College; that's something these players need to understand," Byrne said. "It doesn't matter if they won one game last year or won the national championship; a win over Moravian is a feather in their cap because of everything that happened before they were born. That comes with the territory. That's a symbol of respect and a product of our tradition here. The newcomers have to learn that quickly, but that's why they came here; to be part of that environment."
Those newcomers team up with the nucleus of returning players to create an eclectic mix of promising talent and seasoned leadership.
Seniors Cassie Ernst and Miranda Sergas return to captain the 2014 squad after being named to the Landmark All-Conference First Team one year ago. Ernst, a durable catcher, started in all 42 games in some capacity and boasted a .379 batting average and a team-high .548 on-base percentage after being hit with 26 pitches, the most in Division III last season. She was also the team's best clutch performer with 45 RBIs. Sergas hit .381 with 20 RBIs, and showed selflessness leading the club with 18 sacrifice hits while manning the outfield with only one error last season.
The bats are in abundance this season for Byrne, who also welcomes back two more All-Conference First Teamers in junior outfielders Jenn Dalickas and Dior George. The sluggers also earned Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-East Region nods after breakout offensive season with Dalickas on the First Team and George on the Second Team. George and Dalickas put up historic hitting seasons during their sophomore years, coming in at sixth (58) and ninth (56) for hits in a season, respectively. Dalickas finished 2013 with team-high marks of a .444 average and four home runs. George crossed the plate a team-best 56 times after hitting .406.
"Our upperclassmen are seasoned and are doing a great job leadership-wise and will help bring back that championship culture," Byrne said. "They have great personalities and they can walk the walk. We have some offense. Right now on paper, it's our strength. I would like our strength to be pitching and fielding; that's how you win championships. It's tough to win with just a good hitting team. Pitching and defense can always grind out wins."
Byrne said that while it is a good problem to have, there is a wide open competition to toe the rubber this spring. After losing Landmark Pitcher of the Year Alyssa Fegely to graduation, sophomore Lindsay Sullivan is the retuning win leader after going 10-4 with a 2.73 ERA last year. Senior Elizabeth Tillou picked up three wins and three saves in 44 innings in 2013. Sophomore Carsin Conner also returns healthy after showing great promise in three appearances last season before missing the rest of the season with an injury.
Two newcomers round out a deep field of arms in sophomore Kiersten Cain, a transfer from Division II Kutztown University, and freshman Julie Siragusa, who had a standout career at Cranford High School in New Jersey.
"There's a great dynamic here," Byrne said. "There's a mix of veterans and newcomers. We will call on a few fresh faces that have shown they are above the curve, but the college game is a big step up from high school. Those players become the mentors to the next freshman class because they've been there and done that."
Junior outfielder Lizzie Mack is another veteran after being selected to the All-Conference Second Team and the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-East Region Second Team last season. Mack hit .368 with 16 runs and 15 RBIs. Joining Mack in the outfield will be seniors Melissa Cottone, a .412 hitter one year ago, and Taylor Mihalik, who drove in 11 runs and played perfect defense in the outfield and catcher positions with a 1.000 fielding percentage.
Outfielder Mary Schlosbon returns for her sophomore season after playing her position errorless last season and adding a .340 batting average with 10 runs and seven RBIs.
The infield is also loaded with returning talent. Senior Rachel DeLucia hit .385 with 13 runs and eight RBIs, while senior Eavan Matz was a sure-handed fielder, starting in all 42 games and leading the team with 64 assists. Senior Leann Ventriglia contributed 11 runs and five RBIs last season with a .286 average.
In addition to Siragusa, Byrne welcomes eight other freshmen to the program in 2014. Catcher Niki Maffettone, infielder Lizzie Deutsch, third baseman Victoria Conner, first baseman Abby Jeffries, catcher/first baseman Alexis Wiggley, infielder Lily Shontz, infielder Chrissy Marinaro and utility Amanda Parson all put on the Blue and Grey for the first time and will be looked to immediately for contributions on and off the diamond.
The Greyhounds open the 2014 season in Clermont, Florida for the Spring Games at the National Training Complex. When game No. 1 begins on Monday, March 3 against Thiel College, Byrne expects something specific from his squad.
"We have to make a statement right away," said Byrne, whose team was picked to finish second in the Landmark Conference Preseason Poll behind defending champion Susquehanna University. "I'm not concerned who we are playing; good, bad or indifferent. I'm concerned about the way we are playing. We're going to have a good idea of where we stand by the end of the Florida trip."
After Florida, the Greyhounds open play at Blue & Grey Field on Tuesday, March 18 with a doubleheader against The College of New Jersey.
