WASHINGTON - The Catholic University of America softball team opened their 2015 campaign on Monday, March 9 in Winter Haven, Fla., with back-to-back wins over Mitchell College (6-3) and Beloit College (8-4), respectively.

In the season opener against Mitchell College, CUA pulled ahead early scoring all six of their runs in the second inning.

CUA's Monica Peters drove in Alyssa Keane on a RBI single for the first run of the season. Rebekah Hoisl stepped up to the plate next to bat in Megan Colline, followed by Christy Sanchez reaching home on error by the MC catcher. Peters earned a run when Amy Laughner advanced to second on a fielding error by the Mariners shortstop. The Cards rounded out the second inning episode with a two-RBI single from Kristina Lozupone to send home Hoisl and Laughner to put CUA ahead 6-0.

The Mariners attempted a comeback in the bottom of the fourth, cutting the Cardinals lead in half 6-3, but were unable to convert any additional runs through the seventh inning.

Colline made her Catholic career debut on the mound, pitching four innings with four strikeouts. Sydney McGrath come in for the final three innings and threw two strikeouts.

During their second outing of the day the Cards grabbed three runs in the first inning, two in the second, and their final three in the fourth to edge out Beloit 8-4.

Kylie Finley led the offensive efforts with two runs batted in while Laughner and Lozupone each had one. Lozupone saw three opportunities to steal bags, while Hoisl and Laughner stole 2 of their own.

Kimberly Giurlando started the game pitching 1.1 innings and gave up four runs before McGrath came in as relief. McGrath pitched 5.2 innings to earn her first win of the 2015 season.

The Cards continue their Florida spring break series with matchups against Westminster (Pa.) and Hiram College on Tuesday, March 10.