IMMACULATA, Pa. – The Catholic University (13-13) softball team fell to Immaculata University (16-5-1) on Sunday in a nonconference doubleheader, 4-2 and 6-5.

Game 1: Immaculata 4, Catholic 2

Catholic was led by the sophomore duo of Giselle Diaz and Juliet Lodes, as both Cardinals went 2-3 at the plate and combining for half of the Cards total hits. Junior Claire Sturek got the start but was relieved by classmate Sabrina Scott in the first inning.

The Macs jumped on the Cardinals in the first inning scoring four runs on three hits with two Catholic errors.

After a quiet second inning for both teams, the Cards put one on the board. Sophomore Taylor Forgen hit a double to right field, scoring freshman Marissa Bruder, who reached on a fielder's choice.

With a big three up three down inning for Scott and her defense, Catholic went back to work, scoring one more run to close the gap to two. Scott led off with a single, followed by another base hit from Lodes. Diaz then singled up the middle to load the bases, before Badolato reached on a fielder's choice and Lodes scored on a throwing error by the catcher.

The Cardinals could not get anything going in the remaining three innings. Immaculata would hold on for the 4-2 victory in game one.

Game 2 Immaculata 6, Catholic 5

In game two, freshman Marissa Bruder led the Cardinals at the plate, going an impressive 3-4. Sophomore Allie Lajeunesse got her first start of the season and threw four and one-third innings before junior Sabrina Scott returned to the circle in relief.

The Cardinals scored two runs in the top of the first to take a quick lead. Bruder led off with a single to second base before sophomore Taylor Forgen drew a walk. With runners on first and second, sophomore Juliet Lodes hit a single to center field to score Bruder and advance Forgen to second. Sophomore Allie Lajeunesse then helped herself with a single to score Forgen.

In the bottom of the inning, Lajeunesse and the Catholic defense came up big, forcing the Macs to leave three runners stranded to keep them off the board.

The Cards tacked on three more runs in the top of the second to increase their lead to five. Freshmen Bella Ronca drew a walk, followed a Bruder and Forgen single to load the bases. After a pitching change for the Macs, sophomore Makayla Czan singled up the middle to score both Bruder and Ronca. Lodes then grounded out to the third baseman but got the RBI, scoring Forgen.

However, the Cardinals could not hold on as the Macs offense tacked on six runs over the final five innings to complete the sweep.

The Cardinals will return to action at home on Tuesday, April 9 against Salisbury University. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.