HUNTINGDON, Pa. - Despite eight Cardinals scattering nine hits throughout the Landmark Conference doubleheader, the Catholic University baseball team fell victim to fielding errors and hot opponent bats Friday at Langdon-Goodale Field. 

Catholic (4-2) allowed 15 runs on 17 hits as Juniata (4-4) took away the early lead to post a 5-4 win in game one and then scored eight runs in the first two innings of the second game for a jump that the Cardinals could not catch up to. 

Juniata 5, Catholic 4

After a scoreless first inning on both sides, the Cardinals scored first at the top of the second after a series of batters were hit by pitches, placing two runners on the basepaths. Senior center fielder Billy Duke roped his first double of the season to score classmate Keith Campbell and junior Peter Giombetti, bringing the deficit to 2-0. 

The Cardinals held the lead until the bottom of the fifth when the Eagles strung together four hits resulting in the tying run crossing the plate. One hit and several Catholic fielding errors allowed Juniata to take the lead with three more runs scored, giving the Eagles the 5-2 advantage. 

A seventh-inning rally was not enough for the Cardinals. A single produced by senior Tighe Watson kicked off the inning with a single followed by a double from classmate Tyler Shaffer, moving Watson into scoring position. 

Junior Jason Xiong got the job done as a pinch hitter with a groundout to third that advanced Watson home. Fellow junior Conor Casey was unable to get the ball through the three-four hole and ended the game with a groundout to the first baseman. 

Juniata 10, Catholic 1

Three defensive errors and seven walks turned Juniata's seven-hit offense into a nine-run winning team while Catholic could only produce one run off four hits in game two. 

The bottom of the second was detrimental to the Cardinal's defense when the Eagles scored seven runs on three hits. Starter junior Jack Zaffiro allowed one hit and four walks, resulting in six runs and was relieved by classmate Skylar McLean who closed the inning. 

Three hits and three runs off McLean forced Catholic to its bullpen early, calling on three more Catholic pitchers, each lasting only one inning off Juniata's bats.  

Juniata lengthened their lead by another three runs by the bottom of the sixth, bringing the deficit to 10-0 at the top of the seventh for Catholic's last shot at redemption. Freshman Ryan Moore recorded his first collegiate hit with a single to center field. He was batted around by teammates Matt Tesoriero and Nick Koehn, being the only Cardinal to cross the plate. 

The two teams face off again tomorrow, April 3 at Robert J. Talbot Field.. First pitch is at 12:30 P.M.