May 14, 2023
Moravian Posts 8th Inning Walk-Off Win over Susquehanna to Claim 2023 Landmark Conference Title
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The top seed and host Moravian University softball squad scored once in the seventh inning to tie second seed Susquehanna University, and the Greyhounds scored again in the bottom of the eighth for a 2-1 walk-off win over the River Hawks as the Hounds claimed the 2023 Landmark Conference Softball Championship at Blue & Grey Field Sunday afternoon.
Susquehanna University
25-16
1
Moravian University
32-8
2
| Final (8) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The top seed and host Moravian University softball squad scored once in the seventh inning to tie second seed Susquehanna University, and the Greyhounds scored again in the bottom of the eighth for a 2-1 walk-off win over the River Hawks as the Hounds claimed the 2023 Landmark Conference Softball Championship at Blue & Grey Field Sunday afternoon
How It Happened
- Susquehanna took a quick 1-0 lead with two outs in the top of the first inning, and the one-run lead would hold until the final inning of regulation
- With Moravian down to its final at-bat before the if necessary game, freshman catcher Marcie Silberman led off the bottom of the seventh with a sinking line drive to right field that a diving River Hawk missed, and as the ball rolled to the fence, Silberman raced around to third with a stand-up triple. Freshman Kendall Szor came in to pinch run, and she raced home with tying run on an RBI single through the right side off the bat of junior designated player Emily Silberman
- The Greyhounds scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning for their third walk-off win of the season. After an out, sophomore third baseman Holly Walter drew a walk and stole second base to get into scoring position. Walter moved to third when she tagged up on a fly ball to center field by junior left fielder Mya Zettlemoyer. Sophomore first baseman Lindsey Gawrys scored Walter when she lined a single to right field
Conference Championship History
- Even though she didn't pitch in the championship contest, sophomore pitcher Madi Cunningham was selected as the 2023 Landmark Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player by earning wins in the first two games to help lead the Hounds into the championship round
- For Moravian, the Landmark Conference Championship is the tenth in 15 tournaments since the conference began in 2007-08, and it is the Greyhounds' 18th overall conference title since 2000. It is the Blue & Grey's first conference championships under the direction of Head Coach Josh Baltz, who took over the program this season
- Sunday marked the 12th time in 15 Landmark Conference tournaments that the Hounds had reached the championship round, and it was the ninth time the Greyhounds have come through the winner's bracket and sixth time they've won in the first championship game. Moravian was also hosting the tournament as the top seed for the tenth time
- The 2-1, eight-inning win is the Greyhounds' second title in walk-off fashion with the Blue & Grey winning the 2009 title with a 6-5, nine-inning win over Susquehanna
- With the victory, Moravian will head to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the 19th time in program history, and the Blue & Grey will find out their first round opponent and site for the NCAA Regional pod on Monday, May 15 during the 2023 NCAA Division III Softball Tournament Selection Show that will air at 1:00 p.m. on www.ncaa.com
Inside the Numbers
- Moravian had six hits in the Emily Silberman going 2-for-3 with an RBI
- Marcie Silberman had a triple for her only hit while Zettlemoyer, Gawrys and freshman pitcher Sarah DeStefano all had one hit
- Walter and Szor cross the plate once with Walter and DeStefano each recording a stolen base and Walter drawing a walk
- DeStefano went the distance in the circle to improve to 14-2 on the year. She allowed a run on six hits and no walks to go along with three strikeouts
Up Next for the Greyhounds
- TBA in 2023 NCAA Division III Softball Tournament – NCAA Tournament selection show on www.ncaa.com on Monday, May 15 at 1:00 p.m.
