Courtesy of Catholic and Susquehanna Sports Information
SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Top-seeded Susquehanna University and No. 3 Catholic University reconvened for game three of the Landmark Championship as winners of the first two games.
The Cardinals' Amy Laughner continued her big day scoring an unearned run in the top of the first. Catholic scored again in the fourth when Rose Shaver singled to right field to score Erin Adams and give the Cardinals the 2-0 lead.
Susquehanna responded with two runs of its own in the bottom of the fourth. Cantalini drove in the first run with a double to right center and Rafter's double to right center plated Cantalini for a 2-2 ballgame.
The Cardinals added another two runs in the top of the next inning for a 4-2 lead but in the bottom half of the inning, Neveroski knocked a two-out double to right center and came around to score of Murphy's triple to right field to make it a one-run game (4-3).
Susquehanna's Jamie Fesinstine entered the game in the sixth and worked out of a jam before SU went ahead thanks to a two-run sixth inning. Lauren Creamer's RBI double to right center tied the game at four and pinch hitter Anna Heggenstaller (Liverpool, Pa./Greenwood) doubled to left center to score pinch runner Sam Zuponcic (Mantua, Ohio/Crestwood/Hiram) and give Susquehanna the 5-4 lead after six innings.
The Cardinals loaded the bases in the seventh and Rose Shaver came through with a RBI single to center that knotted the game at five before a Morgan Gieser sac fly marked the go-ahead run.
Susquehanna was then retired in order in the seventh to end the game.
Kerri Apicella (6-7) earned a complete game victory, allowing eight hits and four earned runs while striking out three.
Susquehanna's Morgan Lewis pitched the first 5.2 innings, giving up four runs – three earned – on nine hits. Fesinstine came on to pitch the final 1.1 innings and was credited for the loss after the Cardinals scored two in the top of the seventh to take the lead for good.
Brianna Murphy (Hazlet, N.J./Mater Dei Prep) was 2-for-4 with one RBI, the lone Crusader with multiple hits in the game.
The Cardinals advance to the Landmark Conference Tournament's Championship game which begins Saturday at 2:00 p.m. As the lone undefeated team, the 2-0 Cardinals need just one victory to claim the conference title.
The Crusaders will now play on Saturday at 12 p.m. against the winner of Saturday's opening game between Elizabethtown and No. 2 seed Moravian.