WASHINGTON - After opening the 2016 season 11-3, The Catholic University of America softball team played its home-opener on Thursday afternoon, splitting with Gwynedd Mercy. The Cardinals took the first game by run rule, 8-0, but fell in the second, 3-0.

Rookie pitcher Kelly Lynch continued her impressive start to her Catholic career, twirling a one-hit shutout with four strikeouts in five solid innings.

Six different Cardinals registered hits in the first game with Erin Adams, Christy Sanchez and Alyssa Keane all going 2-for-3. Keane led the way with two runs as six other Cards crossed the plate.

Catholic plated five runs in the bottom of the first inning and found three more in the third to secure the five-inning victory.

Unfortunately, the Cardinal bats were stymied in game two as Griffins' pitcher Kim Machalette scattered just three hits in a complete game, shutout performance.

Freshman pitcher Olivia Ellis was also strong in the pitchers' duel, going the distance while striking out six and allowing on four hits.

Adams continued her excellent play at the plate, going 2-for-3 for the second-straight game. She is now 10-for-23 (.435) with four runs, a home run and eight RBI over Catholic's past six games.

The Cards open Landmark Conference play this weekend, playing a doubleheader at Elizabethtown on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.