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Box Score 2 WASHINGTON – The Catholic University of America softball team used terrific fielding and pitching to earn a Landmark Conference sweep of Scranton on Saturday afternoon, blanking the Royals in both games. The Cardinals earned a 2-0 win before taking game two, 1-0.
Rookie pitcher Kelly Lynch twirled the first shutout, improving to 9-3 overall by striking out three Scranton batters. Lynch scattered five hits in the game and now boasts a 1.70 ERA.
The Cardinals plated both their runs in the game-one victory in the fourth. Junior first baseman Alyssa Keane plated the first with and sacrifice fly. Senior Christy Sanchez got into scoring position with a steal and then advanced on a single by junior Molly MacNeill. Sanchez came around to score on the next play as another Scranton error gave the Cards a two-run cushion.
Lynch allowed only one hit in the next three innings, and set the side down in order in both the sixth and seventh, striking out the final two batters of the game.
Catholic kept the defense rolling in game two, holding the Royals to only two hits.
Sophomore Megan Colline pitched a gem, allowing only four base runners while striking out two as she now stands at 7-1 on the year.
The Cards were only able to register two hits and seven runners on base, but made the most of their first opportunity which proved to be enough.
With two outs in the first inning, junior catcher Kristina Lozupone singled and then advanced to third on a two-base error by the right fielder. Just two pitches later, Lozupone crossed the plate on a wild pitch scoring what proved to be the game-winning run.
Catholic will now play a mid-week doubleheader at Gallaudet on Thursday before continuing Landmark play on Saturday against conference-leading Susquehanna.
