WASHINGTON - The Catholic University of America baseball team topped the Susquehanna University River Hawks, 5-2, in game one of its three-game Landmark Conference series on Saturday night.

Catholic senior Brennan Cotter went 2-of-4 at the plate and recorded two runs and one RBI. Freshmen Connor Sullivan and Christian Jones along with sophomore Ryan Tracy each came across the plate once to advance the Cardinals' conference record to 5-1.

With Tracy any Sullivan on base in the bottom of the fifth inning, senior Paul Burmester pinch hit for the Cardinals and cracked an RBI-single into the far right corner of the field to score Tracy. Sullivan came home next on a sacrifice fly from senior Brett Padula as the Cards took a 2-0 lead.

The River Hawks tied the game in the top of the seventh, but Tracy answered with an RBI-single in the bottom of the inning to score Cotter.

Catholic secured the win in the eighth inning when Cotter singled through the right side to score Jones then later stole home to secure the Cardinals' victory.

Sophomore Colin Cunningham recorded the win for Catholic and senior Joseph Salzano earned his fifth save of the season. Freshman Ross Dean opened on the mound with two strikeouts followed by junior David Gately who dished four Ks.

Junior Sean Carroll and Mark Duffy each made appearances on the rubber. Carroll faced three batters while Duffy went up against two.

The Cardinals and River Hawks continue the three-game series Sunday, April 2 with a doubleheader set to start at 1 p.m.

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