WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Catholic University baseball team split with the University of Scranton Saturday at Talbot Field, 5-3 and 4-0. 

The Cardinals' (9-7, 9-7 LC) bullpen remained untouched for the entirety of the doubleheader as sophomore Tucker Alch and junior Nick Marini went the distance on the mound. The split was highlighted by senior Tighe Watson going 4-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored. 

Catholic 5, Scranton 3

The Royals took an early lead ahead of the Cardinals with two runs scored off three hits in the first inning. A pair of singles and a throwing error by Catholic's defense would allow for Scranton's first run of the day, followed by a second unearned run from an RBI-single. 

A Scranton fielding error caused senior Tyler Shaffer to reach first base and was later sent home off a single by junior Peter Giombetti up the middle to make it a 2-1 game headed into the second. 

The Royals would score their third and final run after loading the bases on three hits. A single sent straight back to the mound allowed for a runner on third to advance home for the 3-1 lead over the Cardinals. 

After four scoreless innings, Catholic's bats got going in the bottom of the sixth with four game-changing hits. Giombetti led off the Cardinal at-bat with a double to right center and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Senior Michael Doody hit an RBI-ground out to second base to allow Giombetti to cross the plate for a 3-2 score.

A single up the middle by senior Billy Duke and a double to right center from junior Matt Tesoriero put two Cardinals on base before Watson stepped up and drove in the tying run on a single to right field. Tesoriero then scored on a wild pitch to give the Cardinals a one-run lead.

Scranton's defense was responsible for Catholic's fifth run when sophomore Ben Nardi reached on a fielding error, scoring Watson to provide the final margin.

Alch threw seven innings, giving up nine hits and only three runs while striking out eight. He improved to 4-0 with a 1.16 ERA, the third-best in the Landmark Conference this season. 

Scranton 4, Catholic 0

Despite both Catholic and Scranton tallying eight hits each, the Cardinals could not produce any runs in game two. 

The Royals scored three runs off two hits in the top of the fourth inning for a comfortable lead with all of them coming unearned as a result of an error. 

A pair of singles and a fielder's choice RBI gave Scranton its fourth run in the top of the fifth.

Catholic left nine runners on base. 

Derek Zelesnick and Watson were responsible for half of the Cardinals' hit totals as both went 2-for-2.

Marini pitched his second seven-inning complete game of the season, allowing eight hits while striking out five.

The Cardinals and Royals complete their four-game series on Sunday at Volpe Field. First pitch is at 12:30 p.m.