Moravian defeats Chapman, 7-6 in Nine Innings

Salem, VA --Trailing 6-1 going into the top of the seventh, the Greyhounds of Moravian College (PA) came back to tie things up and send the game into extra innings, and scored the game-winning run in the ninth to defeat the Panthers of Chapman University (CA) in the first game of the NCAA Division III Softball Championship.

Chapman (35-10) had a big first inning, scoring five runs.  Freshman designated player Sandra Burns hit a three-run double in that inning to lead the Panthers, while senior shortstop Brittany Ziegler and sophomore right fielder Jill Jeranko drove in one run each on singles.

Moravian (38-4) was able to cut into the lead a bit with one run in the top of the fourth.  Sophomore designated player Richelle McWilliams doubled to lead off the inning, and senior left fielder Jessica Esposito hit a single to bring home freshman pinch runner LeeAnna Roberts.

The Panthers would increase their advantage to 6-1 in the bottom of the sixth.  Ziegler doubled, and would later score on a bunt single by senior third baseman Melissa Simerlink.

In Moravian’s five-run seventh inning, freshman first baseman Lauren Homa led the way with a two-run home run. 

Neither team would score in the eighth, and the Greyhounds put the game-winning run on the board in the top of the ninth.  Homa would drive in that run on a single.

Offensively for Moravian, senior third baseman Janelle Brey batted 3-for-5.  Homa was 2-for-5 with her home run and three RBI, while Esposito also went 2-for-5.

For Chapman, Burns was 2-for-3 with her double and three RBI.  Ziegler went 3-for-5 with a double and one RBI, while Simerlink also hit 3-for-5 with one RBI.  Jeranko was 2-for-5 with one RBI, and junior center fielder Keely Starr went 2-for-5 also. 

On the mound, Moravian sophomore Meagan Hennessy picked up the complete game victory.  Chapman sophomore starting pitcher Marissa Becerra struck out one batter.