Kings Point, N.Y.- The Catholic University of America baseball team spilt its Landmark Conference double header with the United States Merchant Marine Academy on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals fell in the first game, 7-6, while topping the Mariners, 5-1, in game two.

The Mariners earned an early run in the first inning of game one. Cardinal's sophomore Anthony Ferlise answered with a solo home run in the top of the second. The Marines added two in the bottom of the inning to maintain their lead.

In a four-run fourth inning, USMMA took a 7-1 lead. Though Catholic rallied with three in the fifth and two in the sixth, it would not be enough for the opening game victory.

During the Cardinal's rally freshman Bailey Lewis hit a 2-RBI double in the fifth, followed by an RBI-single from sophomore Danny O'Hagan. In the sixth, sophomore Jake Crist hit a 2-RBI single to bring Catholic's final tally to six runs.

Senior Colin Kelly started on the mound in game one and threw 3.1 innings before junior Mark Duffy came in for relief. Junior Joseph Salzano closed the series opener, retiring the final three batters of the game.

In game two Catholic struck early when O'Hagan cracked an RBI-single into left field to bring in junior Brett Padula. Freshman Ryan Tracy added two more for the Cards with a 2-RBI single into centerfield in the top of the fourth inning.

Ahead, 3-0, Catholic brought two more across home plate in the top of the sixth. With runners in scoring position, Lewis sent a sacrifice fly into center field to score senior John Palladino. Up next, O'Hagan singled to center field, scoring senior Stefan Poggioli.

The Mariners notched an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth inning, preventing a shutout. Catholic closer Salzano retired the final three batters of the seventh inning for a 5-1 victory.

Freshman Jon Mierzwa pitched the first six innings of game two, throwing six strike outs, while Salzano dealt two k's in the final inning.