KISSIMMEE, Fla. – CUA dropped its first two games of the Rebel Spring Games on Monday, falling to Muskingum 8-2 in the opener and 4-1 to Illinois in the nightcap. Despite the setback, freshman Christy Sanchez had quite the debut after hitting a homerun in her first college at bat.

CUA struck first in the opener, scoring one in the top of the second when Sanchez hit a massive homerun to put the Cardinals up 1-0.

In the third, the Cardinals added one more run to the board. Amy Laughner got things rolling with a single and advanced to second off a sacrifice bunt by Mel Galella. Taylor Stockinger reached first base on a fielding error, which put Laughner in scoring position at third. Tori Marcavage delivered an RBI single to score the second run of the game. 

The Muskies took the lead in the bottom of the third scoring three runs off three hits. Amber Bova hit a single to center field and later advanced to third after Kayley Bevard reached on a Cardinal error. Apryl Patterson singled up the middle and plated two and Jaclynn Hess doubled to left center to score the third run of the frame.

Muskingum then added three more runs in the fourth and two in the sixth off five hits and three CUA errors to win the game 8-2.

Kerri Apicella suffered the loss for the Cardinals after pitching 3.1 innings and giving up five hits, while Sarah Browning captured the win for the Muskies after going five innings and only surrendering one earned run.

In game two, the Lady Blues scored three runs in the third to take the lead. Courtney Kwasnitza singled and later stole second and advanced to third off a single by Paige Cullison.  Jaci Forsythe hit an RBI single to plate Kwasnitza and Cullison moved into scoring position.  Alese Speckhart hit a two RBI double to give the Lady Blues the lead 3-0. The Cardinals retired the next three batters to end the frame.

The Cardinals had a chance to score in the fifth, beginning with Galella's double and one out walk to Stockinger. But again, the next two batters were retired and the game remained 3-0.

Illinois added one more run in the fourth, with Forsythe's RBI single, to go in front 4-0.

Monica Peters got things going for the Cardinals in the sixth after singling and scoring off a double by freshman Courtney Burke to get CUA on the board 4-1.

Stockinger singled in the bottom of the seventh and advanced into scoring position off an error by the Lady Blues, but the next two batters were retired to end the game 4-1.

Speckhart earned the win for the Lady Blues after going seven innings and giving up only one run and striking out three. Victoria Capozucca suffered the loss for the Cardinals after pitching 3.1 innings and giving up four earned runs.

On Tuesday, CUA will play two more games in Florida, beginning at 9 a.m. vs. Westminster. At 11, the Cardinals will take on Thomas More.