Softball 5/23/2025 8:13:51 PM Moravian Athletic Communications No. 18 Greyhounds Split with No. 24 Randolph-Macon (Va.) to Force if Necessary Game of 2025 NCAA Super Regional BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The No. 18 Moravian University softball split two games with No. 24 Randolph-Macon (Va.) College, falling 5-0 in 12 innings and winning 10-5, Friday to force the if necessary game of the 2025 NCAA Division III Bethlehem (Pa.) Super Regional at Blue & Grey Field. How It Happened – Game #1 The opening game was a pitcher's duel and scoreless through 11 innings before the Yellow Jackets scored five times in the top of the 12 in the Hounds' longest NCAA Division III Tournament game. The 12-inning game tied the program record for the longest contest in school history Randolph-Macon left a pair of runners on base in both the first, sixth, and 11th innings while the Blue & Grey stranded one runner on base in the first, second, fourth, and tenth innings The Yellow Jackets scored five runs in the top of the 12th to take control of the game as Randolph-Macon benefited from balls bouncing out of diving Moravian fielder's gloves for the first two hits of the frame Junior Sarah DeStefano tossed all 12 innings, throwing 173 pitches while recording six strikeouts. The loss was just the third of the season for DeStefano in 25 decisions Randolph-Macon starter Grace Ellis, who entered the contest second in NCAA Division III in strikeouts and the leader in shutouts, recorded 15 strikeouts and allowed the Hounds just four hits in her 13th shutout of the spring How It Happened – Game #2 The Yellow Jackets, batting as the home team in game two of the series, jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning in the second contest of the day The Greyhounds countered with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning. Junior third baseman Sydney Andrews drew a leadoff walk while DeStefano, starting in right field, singled. Sophomore designated player Kyra Holtje also hit a single to load the bases before a fielder's choice at the plate and a strikeout brought up senior first baseman Lindsey Gawrys, who delivered a two-RBI single to right field as DeStefano and Holtje crossed the plate Moravian took a 6-2 advantage with four runs in the top of the third frame. Graduate student Ajala Elmore started the inning with a single, and after a pitching change, senior left fielder Sage Snyder singled. Andrews put down a sacrifice bunt before DeStefano connected on an RBI single to chase Elmore home. Holtje ripped a two-RBI double off the fence in right field as Snyder and DeStefano touched the plate. Sophomore center fielder Shayla Morgan had an infield single, and a throwing error on the play allowed Holtje to score The Hounds pushed two more runs home in the top of the fifth for an 8-2 edge. DeStefano reached on an error before Holtje walked. Morgan had a sacrifice bunt before DeStefano was thrown out at the plate on a fielder's choice hit by senior shortstop Holly Walter. Walter stole second, and she raced home along with Holtje as Gawrys ripped a two-RBI single to left field The Blue & Grey added two runs in the top of the seventh for a 10-2 lead. Walter reached on a fielder's choice before stealing second and moving to third on a wild pitch. Gawrys drew a walk before junior catcher Marcie Silberman ripped a two-RBI single to the fence in right center as Walter and Gawrys raced around the bases Randolph-Macon scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh before the contest ended Junior Natalie Otto improved to 4-1 in the circle this year with seven strikeouts in 6.2 innings of action. Holtje faced one batter and recorded a strikeout to end the game The Bethlehem (Pa.) Super Regional is the only site to play on Saturday with Virginia Wesleyan University, Trine (Ind.) University, Texas Lutheran University, Rowan (N.J.) University, The University of Redlands (Calif.), Linfield (Ore.) College and Saint Mary's (Minn.) University all having punched tickets Friday to the 2025 NCAA Division III Championship Finals at Illinois Wesleyan University that begins on Thursday, May 29 Inside the Numbers Moravian had 16 hits in the two games Saturday with Gawrys going 3-for-8 with a run, four RBIs, and two walks Holtje had two hits, three runs, a double, and two RBIs while DeStefano had two hits, two runs, and an RBI Silberman contributed two hits and a pair of RBIs while Snyder and Elmore both collected two hits and scored once Walter touched the plate twice to go with a hit while Morgan and Andrews each knocked out one hit The ten runs in the second game gave the Hounds 313 for the year to set a new program mark while the victory in game two was the 40th of the season for Moravian to tie the school record. The Blue & Grey have already set program records for hits with 460, RBIs with 295, stolen bases with 110, and triples with 18 Up Next for the Greyhounds Saturday, May 24 vs. No. 24 Randolph-Macon (Va.) College in 2025 NCAA Division III Bethlehem (Pa.) Super Regional, 11:00 a.m.