LEESBURG, Fla. – On their third game day at The Spring Games, the Catholic University softball team split between a 4-3 loss against Skidmore and later went on to shutout No. 14 Ithaca, 3-0. 

Game 1: Skidmore 4, Catholic 3

The Cardinals held a 3-0 lead through the bottom of the third inning but a series of unearned runs gave the Thoroughbreds the opportunity to score all four of their runs in the top of the fourth. 

Catholic produced two runs during their first at bat when junior center fielder Makayla Czan doubled to center field to put herself in scoring position. Freshman left fielder Katie Hurd singled up the middle to advance Czan to third base, later stealing second. Czan crossed the plate after Skidmore's pitcher threw a wild pitch which advanced Hurd to third. Freshman designated player Sammy Phillips singled to center field to knock in Hurd making the score 2-0. 

Senior pitcher Sabrina Scott was able to reach first on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the third and returned home off of Phillips' RBI-double which would be Catholic's final run. 

The top of the fourth proved huge for the Thoroughbreds with four runs scored on four hits from Scott and by taking advantage of a few past balls. Catholic was unable to respond within the next three innings resulting in the final score of Skidmore 4, Catholic 3. 

Game 2: Catholic 3, No. 14 Ithaca 0

Game two was a different story for Catholic when freshman pitcher Katie Hurd's performance in the circle helped Catholic upset the No. 14 Ithaca College Bombers who advanced to the Division III College World Series in 2019. Hurd went the full distance allowing only two hits along with six strikeouts on the day. 

The Cardinals started out on a strong note in the first with Makayla Czan doubling down the left field line followed by a single by Hurd, advancing Czan to third. Senior designated player Kacie Badolato hit an RBI-single putting the Cards up 1-0 in the top of the first. 

Hurd's performance on the mound and the strong Cardinal defense behind her got out of a tough second inning when the Bombers loaded the bases but could not bring any runs home. 

The fourth inning provided Catholic with the final two runs as sophomore second baseman Bella Ronca doubled down the right field line, scoring Badolato from second. An error by Ithaca's first baseman gave Ronca the opportunity to score Catholic's third run. The Bombers never got their bats going, resulting in the shutout of 3-0. The Cardinals improve their record to 4-4.

After an off day on Tuesday, Catholic will return to play on Wednesday when they face Penn State New Kensington at 4 p.m. and Plymouth State at 6:15 p.m.