Box Score WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Catholic University baseball team fell 10-1 in the 2021 Landmark Conference tournament to Elizabethtown.
After a scoreless first inning, the third-seeded Blue Jays (16-9) grabbed the lead and didn't look back en route to a victory.
Senior Tighe Watson led the Cardinals (16-11) early at the plate, recording the team's first two hits.
Chris Kelly got the start for the Cardinals in the must-win contest, going three innings and allowing three runs. The senior surrendered eight hits on 52 pitches and was relieved by freshman Ryan O'Keefe in the fourth inning.
Sophomore Derek Zelesnick saved multiple runs with a diving catch at second base to strand the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth, keeping the score 3-0.
The Blue Jays extended their lead to 7-0 with a four-run fifth.
Elizabethtown sophomore Nicholas Ortega posted a strong performance on the mound, holding the Cardinals to four hits in seven innings of work.
Catholic got on the board in the eighth to chip away at a 10-0 deficit, thanks to an RBI single from senior Nicholas Torroella.
Senior Tyler Shaffer led off the top of the eighth inning with a double down the left field line to force an Elizabethtown pitching change. Torroella eventually delivered with a base knock to right center to bring home pinch runner Ryan Moore.
Skylar McLean, Cam Mounts, Ethan Risse, and MJ Dziczkowski also made appearances in relief on the mound for the Cardinals.
Catholic finished the 2021 season with their fourth consecutive appearance in the Landmark Conference tournament.
The contest marks the final game for seniors Kendric Musser, Michael Doody, Billy Duke, Nolan Lundholm, Torroella, Risse, Watson, Shaffer, Kelly and Dziczkowski.
