Junior Kyra Holtje in the batter's box versus Williams (Mass.) College during the 2025 NCAA Division III Bethlehem (Pa.) Regional at Blue & Grey Field. Photo by Cosmic Fox Media / Matthew Levine '11
Junior Kyra Holtje in the batter's box versus Williams (Mass.) College during the 2025 NCAA Division III Bethlehem (Pa.) Regional at Blue & Grey Field. Photo by Cosmic Fox Media / Matthew Levine '11
February 28, 2026

No. 12 Moravian Splits at No. 10 Christopher Newport to Open 2026 Slate

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. --- The No. 12 Moravian University softball squad opened the 2026 season with a split of a non-conference doubleheader at No. 10 Christopher Newport (Va.) University Saturday with the Captains winning the opener, 8-7 on a walk off, and the Greyhounds taking the nightcap, 20-10.

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. --- The No. 12 Moravian University softball squad opened the 2026 season with a split of a non-conference doubleheader at No. 10 Christopher Newport (Va.) University Saturday with the Captains winning the opener, 8-7 on a walk off, and the Greyhounds taking the nightcap, 20-10.

How It Happened – Game #1

  • The Hounds jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning in the opener. Junior center fielder Shayla Morgan reached on a fielder's choice and stole second base before racing home on an RBI double from junior right fielder Kyra Holtje
  • Christopher Newport countered with a run in the bottom of the first to knot the score at 1-1
  • Moravian answered with five runs in the top of the second frame to move ahead 6-1. Senior third baseman Sydney Andrews led off with a single before freshman designated player Shauna McNamee reached on an error and sophomore first baseman Kaley Hoffman walked to load the bases. Senior pitcher Sarah DeStefano hit an RBI fielder's choice to score Andrews while McNamee raced home on an RBI groundout by freshman left fielder Natalie Chloros. Morgan connected on an RBI infield single to bring in Hoffman while Holtje hit a two-RBI double down the right field line as DeStefano and Morgan scored
  • The Blue & Grey added a run in the top of the fifth inning to make it a 7-1 advantage. Andrews let off with an infield single, and she raced home on an RBI infield single from DeStefano
  • The Captains scored twice in the bottom of the fifth to close within 7-3, and Christopher Newport pushed home five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally for the 8-7 victory
  • DeStefano tossed six innings with three strikeouts while Holtje tossed the final two-thirds of an inning in the circle

How It Happened – Game #2

  • The Captains jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning in the second game
  • Moravian responded with seven runs in the top of the second inning to take a 7-3 lead. Senior shortstop Samantha Derickson drew a leadoff walk, and she moved to third when DeStefano reached on an error. Hoffman ripped an RBI single to score Derickson while junior second baseman Emma Grace Pachkowski hit an RBI single that brought in DeStefano. Chloros had an RBI groundout that scored Hoffman while Andrews reached on an error that allowed Pachkowski to touch the plate and put the Hounds on top. Senior catcher Marcie Silberman hit a single before Holtje ripped an RBI single to score Andrews. Derickson followed with an RBI single that scored Silberman while DeStefano finished off the inning with an RBI single to score Holtje
  • The Blue & Grey tacked on a run in the top of the third for an 8-3 edge. Pachkowski led off with a double and scored on an RBI fielder's choice from Chloros
  • Christopher Newport plated two runs in the bottom of the third to cut the score to 8-5
  • Moravian scored a run in the top half of the fourth frame to make it 9-5 as Holtje led off with a double before scoring on an RBI groundout by DeStefano
  • In the fifth inning, Chloros drew a walk and Andrews singled before Silberman ripped an RBI double to bring Chloros home. The Captains got the run back in the bottom of the fifth
  • The Hounds pushed home four runs in the top of the sixth for a 14-6 lead. DeStefano and Hoffman both had singles to start the inning before Pachkowski had a bunt single with an error allowing DeStefano to score. Morgan hit an RBI groundout to bring in Hoffman while Chloros connected on an RBI single that brought home Pachkowski. Silberman finished off the inning with an RBI single to score Chloros
  • Christopher Newport pulled within four runs at 14-10 as the Captains scored four times in the bottom of the sixth frame
  • Moravian finished off the scoring with six runs in the top of the seventh. Derickson led off the frame with a solo home run to center field. DeStefano reached on an error while Pachkowski was hit by a pitch and Morgan singled to load the bases. Chloros drew an RBI walk to push DeStefano home while Andrews ripped a two-RBI single that scored Pachkowski and Morgan while Silberman added an RBI single to score Chloros. Holtje hit an RBI single to bring in Andrews with the final run of the contest
  • Senior Natalie Otto picked up the win in the circle with a pair of strikeouts in four innings of work while Holtje had a pair of strikeouts in the final three innings

Inside the Numbers

  • Moravian collected 29 hits in the two games while scoring 27 runs
  • Holtje went 6-for-10 with three doubles, two runs and five RBIs while Andrews was 4-for-7 with four runs and two RBIs
  • Silberman had a 4-for-10 day with three RBIs, a run and a double while Pachkowski was 3-for-4 with four runs, a double and an RBI
  • Morgan, Hoffman and DeStefano were each 3-for-8 with DeStefano adding four RBIs and four runs, Morgan driving in two runs and scoring three runs and Hoffman contributing three runs, a double and an RBI
  • Derickson picked up two hits with two RBIs, two runs, a double and a homer while Chloros had one hit, five RBIs, three runs and drew three walks and McNamee scored once

Up Next for the Greyhounds

  • Tuesday, March 3 at Ursinus College (DH), 3:00 p.m.
  • Monday, March 9 vs. Alfred (N.Y.) University at The Spring Games, Clermont, Fla., 9:00 a.m.