WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Catholic University softball team opened Landmark Conference play with a sweep against Susquehanna on Friday. The Cardinals recorded two runs to the Riverhawk's one in both contests to secure back-to-back victories.
This marks the first time Catholic has ever swept Susquehanna in a Landmark Conference doubleheader. It also marks the first time in a decade that Catholic has beaten Susquehanna twice in a row, dating back to the 2014 Landmark Conference Tournament. The Cardinals upset the Riverhawks in game three of the double elimination game on their home field before beating them again the next day in the Championship.
Game One — Catholic 2, Susquehanna 1
The third inning proved to be the difference in the first contest. All three runs crossed the plate within these six outs as both pitchers dominated the circle throughout.
Aubrynn Arcement pitched all seven innings and picked up her fifth win of the season. She faced 27 batters, recorded four strikeouts, gave up six hits and only walked one.
Opposing pitcher Hannah Foust got the loss after giving up two runs on three hits in the first three innings before giving way to Amanda Amerman. Amerman held the Cardinals scoreless in the remaining three innings but the Riverhawk offensive could not overcome the deficit.
Emily Deitch got things started for the Riverhawks with a lead off single up the middle. She advanced to second as Nicole Plesh was thrown out at first and was able to cross the plate after a Hailey Kaba single two batters later.
The lead did not last long as the Cardinals answered right back in the bottom of the inning.
Toni Ruley took first after being hit by a pitch.
Sofia Fike followed with a single up the middle and both base runners stole a base to secure second and third with no outs. A subsequent strikeout and a pop up brought
Amy Gasright up to plate. She singled up the middle to record two RBIs as Fike and Ruley crossed the plate.
Gastright recorded two hits in the contest to lead the team. Her first was a deep ball to left field that look like it was going over the wall off the bat, but fell just short.
Kerri Hatcliff also recorded a hit in the contest with a single to right field.
Game Two — Catholic 2, Susquehanna 1
The Cardinal bats came alive early in the second contest, plating the first run in the bottom of the first inning. Fike started things off with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a
Katie Scolese groundout. Gastright came to the plate and delivered in another big moment. She slapped a slow chopper down the left field line, causing the third basemen to come charging forward. Brilliant base running by Fike allowed her to score as the Riverhawks threw over to first for the second out of the inning.
Susquehanna answered in the bottom of the fourth with three singles to tie the game at one a piece.
Excellent defense by both teams kept the game knotted through seven innings, sending the contest to extras. The eighth inning showed promise as a Susquehanna double put a runner in scoring position with one out. However, two huge fielding plays by Fike prolonged the contest.
Alex Garza played hero on a walk-off single down the right field line to secure the win in the bottom of the ninth. Scolese got things going with a single to right center. Gastright kept the spark alive with another single to center field. A passed ball by the Susquehanna catcher sent the go ahead run 60 feet from the plate. Garza streaked one down the right field line that landed just fair to secure the win.
Alex Pley pitched all nine innings, striking out four batters in route to her sixth win of ther freshman campaign. Brianna Jones also went the distance in the circle for the Riverhawks. She struck out two of 32 batters faced and gave up zero walks.
First-year head coach
Sophie Maccarone has now led her team to back-to-back doubleheader wins and a 12-6 overall record.
Due to the weather forecast, the Cardinals' next contest has been moved from Sunday to Tuesday, March 26. The weekday doubleheader against McDaniel will begin at 3 p.m.
