Box Score WASHINGTON – The Catholic University of America softball team held off a late rally by the Crusaders of Susquehanna for the program's first Landmark Conference Softball Title.
The Cardinals opened up with a 3-0 lead in their first inning at bat. After a scoreless second inning, CUA extended its lead to 7-0 by the end of the third. Despite the opening effort, Catholic only tallied one hit during their next three innings at bat, as Susquehanna came to life offensively scoring five runs and registering 10 hits.
Rebekah Hoisl, Kristina Lozupone and Tori Marcavage finished with two hits apiece, while Lozupone led the Cardinals at the plate. The freshman went 2-for-3 with three RBI on the way to earning Most Valuable Player honors for the tournament. Hoisl hit a home run to left field on her first time at bat of the contest.
Victoria Capozucca clinched her 17th win of the season, as she registered the win in her 5.2 innings on the mound. Capozucca struck out two batters, while walking two and allowing nine hits and three runs. Kerri Apicella pitched 1.1 innings of relief.
Catholic started strong when Hoisl led off the bottom of the first with a home run to left field. Amy Laughner capitalized on an error and then scored on Lozupone's double to left center. Lozupone advanced to third on a groundout and scored on Christy Sanchez's single to give the Cardinals the 3-0 lead.
In the third, Marcavage led off with a single and advanced to second on Rose Shaver's bunt. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and Monica Peters loaded the bases with a walk. Laughner drew another walk to score Marcavage and Lozupone followed up with a two-RBI single to right center. Erin Adams singled to right to score the final run of the inning.
Catholic earns an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The NCAA selections will be announced Monday, May 5 at 10 a.m.
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