WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Catholic University baseball team was overcome by late pushes as The Royals swept a doubleheader 7-3 and 6-5 on Sunday at Scranton. 

Catholic (9-9, 9-9 LC) allowed 20 hits on the day as the Royals (10-6, 10-6 LC) pulled ahead late in both games for the sweep over the Cardinals.

Scranton 6, Catholic 5

The Cardinals pulled ahead early in game one as sophomore Ben Nardi hit his fourth home run of the season to open up the first inning. After a scoreless second inning, senior Nolan Lundholm stepped up in the third with a single through the right side to advance Nardi and send senior Nicholas Torroella home.

Junior designated hitter Peter Giombetti stepped up to plate next and singled to right field to advance Lundholm and send Nardi home to put the Cardinals up 3-0 at the bottom of the third.

The Royals got on the board in the fifth inning after a scoreless fourth. Two Royals crossed home plate after a throwing error to cut Catholic's lead to just one, 3-2, at the bottom of the fifth. However, the Cardinals bounced back in the sixth, extending their lead back to three after Torroella recorded two RBIs with a single to center field.

The senior's fourth hit of the year advanced senior Kendric Musser to second and drove sophomore Derek Zelesnick and senior Tighe Watson home. The Cardinals led 5-2 after the top of the sixth.

The next three innings proved hitless for both sides until the Royals took advantage of a Cardinal error and found momentum in the ninth. After a wild pitch and a fielder's choice allowed Scranton to pull back within one, the Royals recorded their third hit of the inning on a double down the right field line, sending home two runners as the team pulled ahead to secure a 6-5 win.

Junior Jack Zaffiro started on the mound with two runs scored on four hits including two walks and three strikeouts in six innings pitched. Senior Chris Kelly came in for relief but allowed three runs scored on two hits including one walk. Freshman Cormac Terry came in for the final out of the game, but allowed one run on one hit including one walk to fall to 1-2 on the year.

Scranton 7, Catholic 3

After the Royals took a 2-0 lead in the first inning after a 2-run-RBI-single up the middle, the Cardinals responded with a 2-run inning of their own. Watson tripled to right field, sending Nardi home for his third run of the day. Musser stepped up to the plate next and sent Watson home on a ground out to second base to knot up the score at two apiece.

However, the Royals responded right back with another run to close out the second inning, regaining the lead at 3-2. 

After a scoreless third inning, Nardi stepped up to the plate and hit another home run for the second straight game to tie the game again, this time at 3. The sophomore leads the Cardinals in homers with five on the season.

Once again, the Royals responded as a double to left center in the bottom of the fourth scored two runs and they regained the lead, 5-3.

A single from Scranton at the bottom of the sixth provided a four-score cushion for the Royals heading into the final inning. It was not needed however, as Catholic once again could not get back in front, completing the Royals' sweep. 

Eight different pitchers saw the mound in game two, as none could get a hold of the Royals hitting. Junior Matt Tesoriero started on the mound for the Cardinals, with two runs scored on three hits, including two strikeouts. Freshman Ryan O'Keefe stepped up in the second inning with one run on two hits, including one walk and two strikeouts.

Junior Skylar McLean took to the mound in the third inning, allowing two hits. Freshman Cam Mounts came in to start the fourth inning, but allowed two runs as he took the loss to fall to 2-0 on the season. 

Freshman Danny Fitzgerald closed out the fourth inning for the final out, with one strikeout. Nardi pitched the fifth inning with two runs on two hits including one walk and one strikeout. Two players pitched the final inning for the Cardinals, starting with freshman Brendan Colleran with two hits including a strikeout. Senior Ethan Risse recorded the final out of the game with a strikeout.

Catholic returns to action on Saturday, May 1 when they host Susquehanna for another Landmark Conference double header. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m.