Holtje & DeStefano Selected as Landmark Conference Softball Athlete & Pitcher of the Week
TOWSON, Md. --- Moravian University sophomore designated player/pitcher Kyra Holtje and junior pitcher/outfielder Sarah DeStefano have been selected as the Landmark Conference Softball Athlete and Pitcher of the Week for their performances last week.
TOWSON, Md. --- Moravian University sophomore designated player/pitcher Kyra Holtje and junior pitcher/outfielder Sarah DeStefano have been selected as the Landmark Conference Softball Athlete and Pitcher of the Week for their performances last week.
The duo helped the Greyhounds to a 7-1 mark at The Spring Games in Florida to open the season with a victory over No. 9 Trine (Ind.) University during the week.
Holtje led Moravian at the plate with a .480 average as she went 12-for-25 with three doubles and two homers for a .840 slugging percentage, and she also had 11 runs, 15 RBIs and four walks for a .552 on-base percentage. Holtje also made two appearances in the circle with a 1.80 ERA, a shutout and seven strikeouts in 11.2 innings of action. At the plate, Holtje hit safely in seven of eight games. She began the week with a 3-for-3 game with two runs, a double, a homer and five RBIs in a 10-0 win over Neumann University. She was 2-for-3 with two runs, a double, a homer and five RBIs in an 11-2 win over Alvernia University, and Holtje had a double, two runs and two RBIs in a 16-2 victory over No. 9 Trine. She also went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs in a 9-1 win versus Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.) College and 2-for-3 with an RBI in a 7-0 victory over Emmanuel (Mass.) College to finish the week, and Holtje scattered one hit and two walks while striking out six versus Emmanuel.
DeStefano was 4-0 week in the circle to go with a 0.88 ERA with four complete games, two shutouts, three runs, eight walks, 14 hits and 23 strikeouts in 24 innings of work in the circle, and she also registered a .333 average at the plate, going 5-for-15 with a run, a double, two stolen bases and four RBIs while playing right field when she isn't pitching. DeStefano also added four putouts and four assists in the field in eight chances. DeStefano recorded her 100th career strikeout in the opening game of the week as she scattered three hits and three walks to go with seven strikeouts in a 10-0 win over Neumann. She added nine strikeouts in a 7-0 shutout over RPI before recording four strikeouts in a 16-2, six-inning win over Trine. DeStefano finished the week with three strikeouts in a 9-1 victory over Gustavus Adolphus.
"Sarah and Kyra set the tone for our team with outstanding individual performances on both sides of the ball," stated Head Coach Josh Baltz. Sarah showed great confidence and command every time she took the mound, while Kyra delivered in key moments, driving in runs and making a great impact at the plate. Their efforts were a big part of our strong start, and we're excited to carry that momentum into this Saturday in Virginia!"
Moravian is to return to action on Saturday, March 15 at the Cross Bay Bash with games at No. 6 Virginia Wesleyan University at 10:00 a.m. and No. 7 Christopher Newport (Va.) University at 2:30 p.m.
