WESTMINSTER, Md.  —  The Catholic softball team traveled to take on McDaniel on Thursday afternoon for its last non-conference road doubleheader of the season. The Cardinals offense erupted in game one and matched their second-highest run total in a game this season to win the first game in a split with the Green Terror.
The Cardinals came out of the gates on fire in the top of the first inning, scoring 10 runs for its highest run output in an inning on the season. The first four Catholic hitters in the inning reached base with Sam Grillo and Katie Scolese each picking up RBI hits to start the rally off. Katie McHugh picked up an RBI by drawing a walk with the bases loaded and Kerri Hatcliffe notched one as well on a single into right field to make it 4-0. The lineup turned back over to the top with the bases loaded and one out and the hit parade continued as Gomez, Grillo and Scolese each recorded their second hit of the inning to help push the lead up to 10. Gomez cleared the bases on a single to right field and Grillo immediately brought her to the plate with a triple to right center field. Scolese tacked on two more RBI to her total by launching a two-run homer to right center field to put the final exclamation point on the inning. 

After the Green Terror scored a run in the bottom of the second inning, the Cardinals hung a crooked number once again in the top of the third to extend the lead to 13-1. Toni Ruley reached base on a bunt single and moved into scoring position on a stolen base to start the inning off. Gomez picked up her third hit of the game with a single to center field to bring Ruley into score. Scolese cashed in with a runner on third once again with a RBI single to center for the second run of the inning. Aubrynn Arcement brought in the final run of the inning with an infield single to shortstop on her second hit of the game to cap off the inning. 

Ruley smacked her second single of the game to put herself on with two outs in the top of the fourth. Olivia Brousseau pinch-hit for Catholic and delivered the first hit and RBI of her collegiate career by ripping a double to right center field to score Ruley from first for the Cardinals 14th run of the game.

McDaniel was able to score four runs in the bottom of the fourth but the scoring stopped there and Catholic picked up a 14-5 win in game one in five innings.

Four different players recorded multi-hit games for the Cardinals and Scolese and Gomez each led the team with four RBI apiece. Gomez's four RBI set a new career-high for herself for RBI in a game. 
The Green Terror had the first good scoring opportunity in the bottom of the third when they put runners on first and third with just one out after back-to-back singles. Alex Pley worked out of the jam by inducing a double play on a ground ball to third to keep the game scoreless.

Amy Gastright laced a one-out double to right center field to try and spark a two-out tally in the top of the fourth. Olivia Stinchcomb followed up with a single into center field and advanced to second on the throw-in to put two in scoring position for the Cardinals. Amy Anderson worked out of the inning by inducing a fly out to left field field to leave the Catholic runners stranded.

The lone run of the game came in the bottom of the sixth inning after Jessica Millard reached second base on an error in the outfield to put herself in scoring position with two outs. Sariah Guevara cashed in with a clutch RBI single to left center field to bring Millard to the plate to put the Green Terror up 1-0.

The Cardinals went down in order in the top of the seventh and fell 1-0 in the second game to move to 24-10 on the season. Pley was solid in the circle throughout her start as she only allowed one run that was unearned through 5.2 innings with a pair of strikeouts. 

Inside the Box Score

• With four hits between the two games, Gomez raised her season batting average to .411 (30-for-76) and her four RBI brought her season total to 15. She became the third Catholic player to reach the 30 hit mark this season.
• Scolese recaptured the team lead in hits with her three-hit game in game one. She now has 37 on the season which ranks 12th in the Landmark currently. Her home run was her third of the season and 11th of her career.
• The 10 runs the Cardinals scored in the first inning are the most runs the program has scored in an inning since 2022 when the team plated 12 runs in the first inning against Illinois College in a 13-2 win in 2022.

The Cardinals will celebrate senior day on Saturday, April 26 for a Landmark doubleheader against Lycoming. First pitch for game one is slated for 1 pm at the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy.