Courtesy of Susquehanna Sports Information
SELINSGROVE, Pa. - SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The Catholic softball team jumped on top early in the Landmark Championship and held off a late rally from Susquehanna to prevail 7-5 and earn the program's first Landmark title on Saturday.
With the win, the Cardinals will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The NCAA selections will be announced Monday, May 5 at 10:00 a.m.
Catholic started strong when Rebekah Hoisl led off the bottom of the first with a home run to left field. Amy Laughner capitalized on an error and then scored on Kristina Lozupone's double to left center. Lozupone advanced to third on a groundout and scored on Christy Sanchez's single to give the Cardinals the 3-0 lead.
The Cardinals came back and loaded the bases in the second, but Susquehanna escaped unscathed. Catholic made up for it in the third with four runs on three hits. Tori Marcavage led off with a single and advanced to second on Rose Shaver's bunt. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and Monica Peters loaded the bases with a walk. Laughner drew another walk to score Marcavage and Lozupone followed up with a two-RBI single to right center. Erin Adams singled to right to score the final run of the inning.
Susquehanna chipped away at the Cardinals' lead with two runs in the top of the fourth inning. Stephanie Chlebove singled up the middle to score Alyssa Cantalini and Brittany Devlin. The Crusaders proceeded to score two more runs the very next inning on a two-run homer off the bat of Cantalini that suddenly made it a three-run game at 7-4.
In the top of the sixth, a wild pitch allowed Chlebove to score yet another run for a 7-5 ballgame. That remained the score heading into the top of the seventh where SU had its final chances to complete the comeback. Bridget Rafter led off the inning with a walk and Brittany Devlin followed with a single but Catholic retired the next three batters in order to hold on for the win.
Catholic's Victoria Capozucca went 5.2 innings in the circle to earn the win. Kerri Apicella pitched 1.1 innings of relief.
Lozupone led the Cardinals at the plate. The freshman went 2-for-3 with three RBI on the way to earning Most Valuable Player honors for the tournament.
Jamie Fesinstine got the start for SU. She pitched the first 1.1 innings and gave up three runs on four hits with three walks. Morgan Lewis came in to pitch the final 4.2 innings and surrendered four runs on four hits.
Cantalini went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI while Chlebove finished with three hits and two RBI.