Box Score WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Catholic University baseball team relinquished a two-run lead in the ninth inning Sunday afternoon as Scranton came back to win the game and the series with a 7-6 victory.
After falling behind 2-0 in the third inning, the Cardinals (11-10, 3-6 LC) responded with a three-run frame on three hits. Senior Bailey Lewis drove in a run with a hit up the middle, and then sophomore Cole Campbell singled to left in the next at-bat. A walk from Connor Cozad loaded the bases, and fellow sophomore Michael Doody delivered with a 2-RBI single to left field to put Catholic up 3-2.
The hosts scored again in the fourth frame to extend the advantage. Tighe Watson made his way to third base after he was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and then Lewis was intentionally walked to give the Royals (9-8, 6-2 LC) a force out chance with two outs. Campbell made them pay with a double to deep left field that scored both Watson and Lewis.
A two-run homerun in the sixth inning brought Scranton back into the contest at 5-4, but Catholic added an insurance run in the seventh. Junior catcher Jeff Guile walked and was replaced on the base path by Christian Jones, whose speed was needed to score from first on an RBI double from Watson down the right field line.
The Royals rallied in the ninth and scored three runs on one hit, one error, three walks and a hit-by-pitch. The Cardinals could not come up with an answer in the bottom half of the inning and lost the Landmark rubber match 7-6.
Starting pitcher David Gately threw six innings, giving up six hits and two earned runs. A two-run error in the third inning put Scranton on top, but Gately settled and struck out three batters in his 94-pitch performance.
After seven games in as many days, Catholic gets a break from midweek action and plays next on Saturday, April 6 at Juniata. First pitch of the series is set for 12:30 p.m.
