BETHLEHEM, Pa. ­­– Erin Pattillo recorded two hits, an RBI, and a stolen base for the Lebanon Valley College Softball team in the second game of its doubleheader against No. 20 Moravian University on Tuesday, March 18, at Blue & Grey Field. LVC battled until the final out in two close contests but dropped the first matchup 3-0, while Moravian won the second by a score of 4-3 on a walk-off single. 

Game One 
Abby Reed was the starting pitcher for the Dutchmen (7-6, 2-0 MAC Freedom) and began the contest with a scoreless bottom of the first inning, recording a popout to shortstop Megan Heard, a flyout to center fielder Mackenzie Willey, and a fielder's choice in which Nicole Kratz notched an unassisted out at third base. Reed also delivered a zero against the Greyhounds (8-3) in the bottom of the second, registering three flyouts to right fielder Katie Muller. The first-year pitcher continued her strong outing in the bottom of the third inning, logging a flyout to Erin Field in left-center field, a popout to Holly Grube at second, and another popout caught by Heard.  

Lebanon Valley also battled at the plate as the game progressed, as Heard led off the top of the fourth with a single to first base and stole second. Grube followed this by drawing a walk. Reed then kept working to limit the opposition in the bottom of the fourth inning, retiring the Moravian in order with a flyout to center field, a flyout to Muller in right-center field, and a groundout to shortstop. The first-year also pitched a 1-2-3 frame in the bottom of the fifth, recording a groundout to shortstop, a groundout to second, and a flyout to center. 

The Flying Dutchmen got another runner on base in the top of the sixth inning as Grube drew a two-out walk. The Greyhounds then scored three runs in the bottom half of the sixth, taking a 3-0 lead on a two-run single up the middle and an RBI single to Reed. Lebanon Valley also kept competing in the batter's box until the final out was recorded, as Maddy Gronback singled down the left-field line, and Julia Craig drew a walk with two outs in the top of the seventh. Ultimately, Moravian went on to preserve its lead through the end of the game. 

Inside the Box Score

• Heard picked up a hit and stole a base. 
• Gronback tallied a base hit. 
• Grube had a game-high and season-high two walks.
• Craig drew a walk. 
• Reed struck out a batter in six innings of work. 

Game Two 
Moravian (9-3) opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning, taking a 2-0 lead on a two-run home run to center field. Grube started for Lebanon Valley (7-7, 2-0 MAC Freedom) in the pitching circle and delivered a scoreless bottom of the second by catching a popout, fielding a groundout, and recording a groundout to second base. The Dutchmen then got a couple of runners on base in the top of the third inning, as Pattillo hit a two-out single through the left side and stole second base to get into scoring position. Heard followed this by reaching on a bunt single to put runners on the corners.

Grube also tossed a shutout frame in the bottom of the third, retiring the Greyhounds in order with a groundout to shortstop, a groundout that she fielded, and another groundout to shortstop. Moravian then tacked on a run in the bottom of the fourth inning, going up 3-0 on a solo homer to center. Grube followed this by posting a zero for Lebanon Valley in the bottom of the fifth, delivering an inning that included two groundouts to shortstop and catcher Bella Mackison throwing out a runner attempting to steal second base.

Grube held Moravian in check in the bottom of the sixth inning, pitching a 1-2-3 frame with a strikeout swinging, a groundout to shortstop, and a flyout to right field. The Flying Dutchmen got on the board in the top of the seventh with a big three-run inning, tying the game at 3-3. The club loaded the bases with no outs after Gronback singled up the middle, Emily Mitchell hit a single through the right side, and Mackison walked. Nikki Sellers then hit a ball to shortstop and reached on an error, allowing pinch runner Maddie Russell to cross the plate. Kratz followed this with an RBI groundout to shortstop, knocking in Mitchell. Pattillo later evened the score by hitting a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing home Mackison. Moravian countered with a walk-off RBI single through the right side in the bottom of the seventh, winning the contest 4-3. 

Inside the Box Score

• Pattillo tied a season-high two hits and registered an RBI. The senior also stole a base. 
• Mitchell tallied a hit and crossed the plate once. 
• Mackison had a walk, and a run scored. The catcher also caught two runners attempting to steal bases.
• Kratz registered an RBI.
• Sellers knocked in a run. 
• Russell scored a run. 
• Heard recorded a base hit, extending her hitting streak to three games. 
• Gronback also picked up a hit, advancing her hitting streak to three. 
• Grube struck out two batters in 6.2 innings. 

Up Next
The Flying Dutchmen will be back in action on Saturday, March 22, when the program will host DeSales University for a doubleheader in its home opener at the LVC Softball Park. The first matchup is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

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