Moravian Falls to No. 5 Linfield (Ore.) to Begin 2026 NCAA DIII Super Regional

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -The Moravian University softball squad falls to No. 5 Linfield (Ore.) University, 10-2 in six innings, in the first game of the 2026 NCAA Division III McMinnville (Ore.) Super Regional Thursday afternoon.

How It Happened

The Hounds put a runner on base in the top of the first as senior third baseman Sydney Andrews drew a one-out walk
The Wildcats turned an error on the first batter of the bottom of the first inning into an unearned run and a 1-0 lead to start the game
Moravian got a leadoff infield single from senior pitcher/designated player Sarah DeStefano to start the top of the second, but she would be stranded at second
Linfield saw its first batter of the second inning reach on an error, and the Wildcats added another unearned run to make it 2-0
The Greyhounds started the top of the third with a walk by junior center fielder Shayla Morgan; however, she would be stranded on base
The Blue & Grey put the leadoff batter on in the top of the fourth frame as senior catcher Marcie Silberman hit a single up the middle, but a double play ended the chance
The Wildcats scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth to push the advantage to 6-0
Moravian put the leadoff runner in the top of the sixth as freshman left fielder Natalie Chloros was hit by a pitch. After a pair of outs, Silberman connected on a two-run homer to center field to bring in Chloros and cut the deficit to 6-2. The home run was Silberman's team-leading eighth of the season and extended her school and Landmark Conference record to 46 in her career. DeStefano reached on an error but would be stranded on base
Linfield added four more runs in the bottom of the sixth to finish the game

Inside the Numbers

Moravian collected three hits in the contest, with Silberman going 2-for-3 with a run, a homer and two RBIs. The two RBIs gave Silberman 165 in her career, tying the school record set by Janelle Brey from 2001-04. Silberman now owns the Landmark Conference records in home runs and RBIs in a career, and she moved into a tie for eighth with Brey and Beth Paly at 190 career hits
DeStefano had the Hounds' other hit in the game, while Chloros scored once
DeStefano started in the circle and tossed three-plus innings with six runs and four runs on eight hits and a pair of walks. Senior Natalie Otto pitched 2.2 innings of relief with six hits, two walks, and four runs

NCAA Super Regional History

The Greyhounds are playing in the super regionals for the fifth time, including the third berth in four seasons under fourth-year Head Coach Josh Baltz. Moravian went 2-1 versus Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the 2023 NCAA Division III Cambridge (Mass.) Super Regional before going 1-2 versus Randolph-Macon (Va.) College in the 2025 NCAA Division III Bethlehem (Pa.) Super Regional
The Hounds are making their fifth appearance in the Super Regionals since the NCAA adopted the format in 2014. The Blue & Grey have played in the Super Regionals in 2015, 2018, 2023, 2025, and 2026, with the 2023 squad winning the program's first and only Super Regional. Moravian is now 4-8 in Super Regional games
Moravian has won eight NCAA regional championships, including three in the last four years, including the 2023 Medford (Mass.) Regional, the 2025 Bethlehem (Pa.) Regional and the 2026 Bethlehem (Pa.) Regional
The Hounds have advanced to the NCAA Division III Championship Finals four times in 2004, 2007, 2010, and 2023
The Greyhounds are now 60-48 all-time in NCAA Tournament action in 22 appearances with an 8-6 mark in extra innings, and Baltz is now 14-9 in NCAA play since taking over the program in 2023

Up Next for the Greyhounds

Friday, May 22 vs. No. 5 Linfield (Ore.) University in 2026 NCAA Division III McMinnville (Ore.) Super Regional, 4:00 p.m. EDT (6:30 p.m. if a game is needed)