WASHINGTON – For the seventh-straight season The Catholic University of America softball team is headed back to the Landmark Conference Playoffs. The Cardinals swept Juniata, 2-0, 4-2, thanks to some impressive pitching. 

Sophomore starter Kelly Lynch went the distance and shut out the Eagles in game one as she allowed just two baserunners on two hits. Lynch struck out four on the afternoon.

Catholic got the gamewinner in the bottom of the first as senior Erin Adams hit in sophomore Rebecca Marks who walked, stole second and then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by senior Julie Keleti.

It was Keleti that added the insurance run in the third as she singled up the middle which scored freshman Marissa Deblasie who led off the frame with a double.

In game two, rookie pitcher Sabrina Scott limited Juniata to two runs over 6.1 innings. With the bases loaded and one out, fellow freshman Claire Sturek came on for her first career save.

Keleti, Adams and junior catcher Alyssa Keane all had two-hit performances in the second showdown.

Catholic again got on the board in the bottom of the first as Keane singled up the middle to score Keleti.

A RBI double by junior centerfielder Rachel Valdes in the third was followed by the game-winning run in third on and RBI single by Keleti.

Adams got the Cards to four runs on a sacrifice fly in the in the sixth.

Catholic improves to 22-12 overall and finishes league play with a 7-5 mark.

The Cardinals host Stevenson in a doubleheader this Sunday in their regular-season finale.

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