UNION, N.J. (4/10/11) – Junior shortstop Alicia Banz was a combined 6-of-9 with six RBI and two homeruns, however the Kean University softball team dropped a non-conference doubleheader to #18 Moravian College on Sunday afternoon.

The Greyhounds (21-3) pulled out the 8-7 and 9-7 wins behind Miranda Sergas, who finished 3-of-7 with two homeruns, five RBI and three runs scored in the two games.

The seven runs scored by Kean were tied for the most runs Moravian has allowed this season, while the Cougars also recorded the most hits the Greyhounds have allowed with 13 hits in the opener and 10 hits in the second game. 

GAME ONE: Banz Perfect at the Plate, However Moravian Earns 8-7 Win

Banz (pictured left) was a perfect 5-of-5 with five RBI and one run scored, however Moravian College scored single runs in the top of the sixth and seventh innings to pull out the 8-7 win in the opener.

Moravian led by as many as four runs after the top of the fourth inning when Sergas hit her second homerun of the game with a three-run homer to left field for the 6-2 lead.

The Cougars got a run back in the bottom of the inning on a RBI single by Banz, before taking the lead in the bottom of the fifth with four runs on four hits.

Sophomore third baseman Courtney Melchionna had an RBI single and Banz followed later in the inning with a bases-loaded single to drive in a pair to tie the game.  Rookie Megan Cegielski would then score from second base on an infield single by sophomore second baseman Katie Schuh for the 7-6 lead.

The Greyhounds capitalized on a two-out error by the Cougars and second baseman Stephanie Falzarano took advantage with a single through the left side to score shortstop Eavan Matz to tie the game.

An inning later, sophomore Shannen Mohr doubled to left field to drive in the game-winning run in freshman Taylor Mihalik, who led the inning off with a double to right-center.

Moravian took a 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning when right-fielder Amanda Paulas had a sacrifice fly and Sergas followed with a two-run homer.

The Cougars cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the third inning when Cegielski (pictured right) led off with a bunt single and Banz followed one batter later with the two-run homerun to left field.

Cegielski finished 3-of-4 with two runs scored, while Schuh and freshman designated player Kelly Moorehead each added two hits.

Sergas finished 2-of-3 with five RBI and two runs scored, while Mihalik had three hits and Mohr finished with two hits and two runs scored.

Senior right-hander Elizabeth Python improved to 5-0, earning the win in four innings of relief. 

GAME TWO: Kean Nearly Rallies From Seven-Run Deficit

The Cougars scored five runs in the fifth inning, erasing a seven-run deficit to pull within 9-7, however Kean was unable to pull closer as Moravian hung on for the 9-7 win in the nightcap.

Trailing 9-2 in the fifth inning, Schuh led off the inning with a single up the middle and would come around to score one batter later when left fielder Sandra Binkiewicz doubled high off the fence in right-center.  The Cougars then loaded the bases on back-to-back walks to Melchionna and Moorehead and senior first baseman Katie Yard broke out of a 0-of-12 slump in dramatic fashion with the grand slam homerun that nearly cleared the scoreboard in left field to pull the Cougars to within 9-7 with one swing of the bat. 

That would be as close as the Cougars could get though, as junior right-hander Jenna Carmon came on in relief and allowed just two hits over the final two and two-thirds innings to earn the save.

The Cougars took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Banz led off with her second homerun of the day.

Moravian scored twice in the two of the second inning on a two-run double by sophomore starting pitcher Alyssa Fegely. The Greyhounds added a run in the third inning with the RBI double by Mihalik, before opening up a 7-1 lead with four runs in the top of the fourth inning.  Falzarano had the big hit in the inning with the two-run single to right field.

Kean got a run back in the bottom of the fourth on the leadoff homerun by Moorehead before the Greyhounds extended the lead to 9-2 with two more runs in the top of the fifth on the two-run homerun by Paulas.

Paulas finished 3-of-4 with three runs scored and two RBI, while Falzarano added two hits, two RBI and scored twice. 

Schuh (pictured right) finished 3-of-3, while Binkiewicz was 2-of-4 with one run scored and one RBI.

The Cougars return to New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Tuesday, April 12, when they travel to Ramapo College for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.