WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Catholic softball team opened their tournament on Friday morning against Case Western. The Cardinals collected their first loss this season, falling to the Spartans 3-4 in the eighth inning.
Catholic put up a strong defensive front from the first pitch, with
Aubrynn Arcement leading the team in the circle. The Cardinals were quickly in and out of the first inning, with a 6-3 combo securing the first three outs of the game.
The bats were hot in the bottom of the first, with
Sam Grillo stepping in the box as the lead-off batter against the Spartans. Grillo hit a single to left field, and from there Catholic was immediately trying to move into scoring position.
Katie Scolese was up next, sending one out to right field to advance Grillo and reach first herself. Grillo was then able to steal third and advance home due to an overthrow, putting Catholic on the board with their first run, with Scolese in scoring position.
Elise Faxon then struck out swinging, but advanced Scolese to third. Scolese then added another run for the Cardinals on a throwing error that landed
Kerri Hatcliffe on first. Catholic ended the first inning up 2-0 over Case Western.
The top of the second was another one-two-three inning and then the Cardinals were back up to bat. They quickly found themselves on base when an error by the catcher allowed
Katie McHugh to cruise to first. McHugh was later advanced to second on a strikeout by Arcement. Grillo then shot one to center field, scoring McHugh and extending Catholic's lead to 3-0 over the Spartans.
Case Western got into a groove in the top of the third, recording three hits to load the bases. They scored their first run with a single from Kate Coonan to center field, but didn't leave the play unscathed, as the Cardinals recorded an out during a run-down. Elizabeth Berry then singled through the right side to bring home the two remaining base-runners to even the score at three.
Morrigan Gardiner took over in the circle for Catholic, looking to hold off the Spartans, and started off by striking out her first batter. The Spartans found a sweet spot a few times throughout the game, but the Cardinal defense was able to put up a strong front, keeping the game tied up at three.
Catholic looked to shut down Case Western and take back the lead in the seventh inning. Gardiner spearheaded the efforts, picking up three strikeouts to close out the top of the inning.
The Cardinals needed one more run to secure the victory in the bottom of the seventh. Gardiner had her first at-bat as a Cardinal, and was able to get things started for Catholic with a bunt to third base to get to first. The Cardinals were unable to get home, sending the game into extra innings.
Starting with Violette Tuma as runner on second, Case Western quickly picked up a run. With a sacrifice bunt and a single to left field, the Spartans took their first lead of the game. For the Cardinals, Scolese started as the runner on second and stole third to put Catholic in a better position to score. Despite their attempts, the Cardinals were unable to regain the lead, and fell to the Spartans, 3-4.
Grillo led the squad with two hits, while Scolese picked up three stolen bases. Gardiner had an impressive six strikeouts across 3.2 innings, and only allowed one run, but recorded the loss for the game to bring her to 0-1 on the season. Arcement picked up three strikeouts during the game across 4.1 innings pitched.
Up next, Catholic will rematch against Case Western on day two of their home tournament. The game is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28 at 11 a.m. The Cardinals will then take on the Maroons of Roanoke at 1 p.m.
