As part of a loaded slate of Mary Washington home athletic events on Wednesday, the Eagles' softball team welcomed visiting Catholic University for a doubleheader as part of NCAA Division III week. The Eagles (9-20, 1-3 CAC) dropped both contests 2-1 and 5-3.
The Cardinals (15-9, 3-3 Landmark) pressured starting pitcher Hannah Otterman early in the first game, loading the bases in the first inning. After giving up two singles and hitting a batter, Otterman threw Christy Sanchez into a fielder's choice, resulting in the force out at third to get out of the inning safely.
Catholic challenged again in the third inning, this time notching two runs to get on the board first. After two singles, Mel Galella grounded out to the third baseman to advance the runners. Then, Nina Curto reached on an error, resulting in the two tallies.
In the bottom of the fourth, Brandee Adams led off for the Eagles with a triple to the center field wall. Two batters later, Brittany Scites hit an RBI single to right field to score Adams and cut the deficit to one. Cardinals' pitcher Victoria Capozucca then forced Emily Nykorchuk into a double play to end the inning.
Emily Briggs added a hit in the fifth inning; however, the Eagles could push no further. Otterman pitched the complete game allowing two runs on six hits with a walk and six strikeouts.
Catholic struck first again in the nightcap and took a 1-0 second inning lead. The Cardinals added in three more runs in the third thanks to singles by Curto and Sanchez.
The visitors notched one more in the fifth inning but left two on base as Bireet Chitty tagged the runner advancing to third to end the inning.
Mary Washington answered back with two runs of their own in the fifth frame. Stefannie Asselanis led off with a single down the left field line then advanced to second on a single by Adams and to third on a throwing error by the pitcher. Chitty also singled down the left field line, scoring Asselanis and advancing Adams to second. Scites lined yet another RBI single up the middle to bring in Adams and pull within three of the Cardinals.
Eagles' starter Annie Blaine prevented further damage in the seventh as she worked out of a jam with the bases loaded. Then, in the bottom of the final frame, Mary Washington's rally fell short as they managed one run, making the final score 5-3.
Adams went 3-for-4 in the second contest and scored two runs for the Eagles. Scites, Chitty and Hannah Williams each had two hits. Sanchez led the Cardinals' offense going a perfect 4-for-4 from the plate, scoring once, and driving in another run.
The Eagles return to action on Saturday, April 13, when they host York (Pa.) for a Capital Athletic Conference doubleheader. The first game is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.