Hounds Provide Plenty of Support in Sullivan’s 2-Hit Shutout
CLERMONT, Fla. – Sophomore starting pitcher Lindsay Sullivan hurled the Moravian College softball team’s second two-hit shutout in a row and the Greyhound offense brought the run support early and often in a 11-0, five-inning defeat of Regis (Mass.) College on Friday afternoon in the Dot Richardson Spring Games at the National Training Center.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 17 | 0 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
CLERMONT, Fla. – Sophomore starting pitcher Lindsay Sullivan hurled the Moravian College softball team's second two-hit shutout in a row and the Greyhound offense brought the run support early and often in a 11-0, five-inning defeat of Regis (Mass.) College on Friday afternoon in the Dot Richardson Spring Games at the National Training Center.
The Greyhounds (5-0) hung a four-spot in the top of the first inning, which has become a productive frame for head coach John Byrne's squad this week. Moravian has scored 19 runs in the first inning over the last four games in Florida. That would be all the support Sullivan would need.
The sophomore starter allowed a leadoff infield single in the bottom of the first, and then proceeded to retire 12 straight Pride players. Sullivan struck out one and did not allow a walk to improve to 2-0 on the season.
Sullivan's battery mate, senior catcher Taylor Mihalik, had the best seat in the house for Sullivan's gem.
"She did awesome," Mihalik said. "She worked the plate well and kept batters off balance. Her drop ball looked great; not many girls got a piece of it. The other thing was our defense backed her up, but she pitched very well."
The Moravian defense played errorless softball against Regis, and Mihalik's bat was part of a season-high 17-hit attack. The senior backstop went 3-for-3 at the plate with a double, two RBIs and a run scored.
"I tried to focus in today," Mihalik said. "My sophomore and junior years were tough hitting-wise, but I've been trying to stay on track this year through winter workouts and these first five games. I'm focusing on keeping my hands up and timing; those two things have killed me in the past."
Mihalik's RBI single through the left side of the infield plated the Greyhounds' fourth run of the first inning after senior designated player Cassie Ernst launched a two-RBI double off the center field fence and junior first baseman Jenn Dalickas followed with an RBI triple.
Junior left fielder Lizzie Mack also went 3-for-3 at the dish with four RBIs and two runs scored. The junior leads the team with 12 RBIs during the season-opening Spring Break trip to Central Florida. Her two-RBI single in the top of the second pushed the Moravian lead to 6-0.
Mack picked up her first triple of the season in the top of the fourth inning, a rocket to right center that scored junior center fielder Dior George (2-for-3, 2 runs) and freshman shortstop Lizzie Deutsch (1-for-2, 1 run) for the 8-0 lead. Dalickas added an RBI single and Mihalik's third hit of the contest came on an RBI double to make it 10-0 Greyhounds.
Senior third baseman Leann Ventriglia capped the Moravian scoring with an RBI single down the left field line to plate Mihalik.
During Moravian's 5-0 start to the season, the team has yet to play from behind. Mihalik says the quick start to the season is hopefully a microcosm of what is yet to come for a team led by eight seniors.
"This group of seniors knows what needs to be done," Mihalik said. "We're very proud of the tradition here and our expectations. It's exciting with all of the promising freshmen and a big upperclassman presence on the team. It's important for us to take a hold of the team. We know how well we can play and we want that championship back. We're very driven right now."
Moravian will play its second game of the day at the National Training Center against Case Western Reserve University to conclude its six-game stint at the Spring Games.
