WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Catholic University softball team split a doubleheader with local rivals Marymount (Va.) on Wednesday afternoon.

The Cardinals (13-13, 5-5 LC) were led by junior Katie Hurd who was stellar in the circle in game one and sophomore Hailee Weiss who made numerous impressive defensive plays throughout both games of the doubleheader.

Game 1: Catholic 5, Marymount 2

Hurd was the story of game one, pitching a complete game and not allowing a hit until the sixth inning. 

She threw 7.0 innings, allowing just three hits and two runs, neither of which were earned, and struck out three.

It was a big fifth inning that powered Catholic to the victory, as the Cardinals were able to plate three in the frame. It began with back-to-back singles from Weiss and sophomore Sophia Fike, before freshman Amanda Gomez brought two runs home. The right fielder reached on a throwing error, which brought home Weiss from third and Fike, who had stolen second. Hurd then produced an RBI groundout to complete the three-run fourth.

The Saints (15-23) were able to plate a run in the top of the first without registering a hit. After the leadoff batter reached on an error, Jaclyn Burch successfully advanced the runner with a bunt and a Sara Emig groundout pushed the runner to third. A two-out error then put Marymount on the board before Catholic had the chance to bat.

However, the Cardinals responded immediately, knotting the game at one. After Gomez doubled to left-center field, junior Sammy Phillips singled through the left side with two outs to pull Catholic level. 

Catholic added an important insurance run in the top of the seventh, when Weiss hit a double to plate junior Heather Berberich, who led off the inning with a single.

Marymount threatened in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases and bringing the tying run to the plate. With one out, Hurd was able to get Sheila Kiernan to fly out to right field. Although it did bring in a run, it got the Cardinals within one out of the victory, and Hurd ended the game on the next at-bat via strikeout. 

Hurd's victory moved her to 8-6 on the season while Saint starter Morgan Hunt fell to 8-11 on the year.

Game 2: Marymount 4, Catholic 2

Sophomore Justina Benvenuto was able to keep the Saints off the board until the fourth, when they plated three runs. 

Kaylynn Johnson started the scoring when she hit a two-run homer to right-center field. Abbie Potter then grabbed an RBI when her groundout allowed Kiernan to score to make it 3-0. 

The Cardinals battled back in the fifth, when after two quick outs, they were able to put together a rally. After a Weiss single and a Fike walk, Gomez hit an RBI single that scored Weiss and allowed Fike to advance to third base. Hurd followed with a single to score Fike and cut the Saint lead to just one. 

Marymount answered back in the next half inning, when Kiernan doubled to score Johnson.

A majestic diving catch by Weiss then prevented further damage. The second baseman flew to her right to catch a dipping line drive headed for center field, one of multiple shining defensive plays by the sophomore on the day. 

Despite a Fike single in the seventh, the Cardinals were unable to muster a comeback. 

Benvenuto got the loss, dropping her to 5-7 on the season, while Saint starter Shanyn Burch improved to 7-12. 

Weiss went 3-for-6 on the day with two singles, a double, one RBI and two runs batting in the nine spot in the order. Gomez scored two runs and drove in two more. 

This matchup marked a point-scoring situation in the newly-announced Pope's Cup, an annual competition between the two local, Division III Catholic institutions. The split brings the season total to 9.5-2.5 in favor of Catholic. 

The Cardinals looked forward to the weekend, when they host four games in two days. They will finish out the conference regular season on Saturday, April 30, when they host Susquehanna before hosting an out-of-conference series against Hood on Sunday, May 1. First pitch on Saturday is at 1 p.m. while first pitch on Sunday will be at 11 a.m. The team will celebrate its seniors on Sunday, with senior day programming taking place prior to the start of game one.