Cardinals win again, down Eastern 9-4 to close out spring break

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – CUA closed out a successful spring break trip with a 9-4 win over Eastern (6-3) on Friday morning.  The Cardinals (9-3) trailed 2-0 after one-half inning, but battled back to earn their fifth win in six games down in South Carolina.  Colin McCarthy had a good day for CUA at the plate, with three hits and two RBI.

Eastern scored twice in the top of the first to take an early 2-0 lead.  Greg DeSarro delivered the big blow with a two-run single down the left field line.

CUA came right back and tied things at two though with a pair of runs in its half of the first.  Tim Mierzwa drew a one out walk.  An Eastern error then allowed Marc Hanna to reach and Mierzwa to come all the way around and score.  Afterwards, Hanna scored on a wild pitch to knot the score at two.

The Eagles went back in front with a single run in the third, but the Cardinals got two runs in the fourth to take their first lead of the day.

McCarthy stroked a one out double to right field, and he eventually came around on a pair of Eastern wild pitches.  With two outs, Mike McFarland laced a double of his own to left, and he crossed home after an Eagles error.

Two more runs scored in CUA’s half of the fifth to up the lead to 6-3.  Brendan Breslin got things started with a single and Mierzwa followed with a walk.  A Hanna fly ball moved Breslin up to third, and Mierzwa got himself into scoring position by stealing second.

Mark Kalokitis then drove in both runners with a single to right center.

Eastern cut the Cardinals lead to two in the sixth when Tyler Orr stole home with two outs.

CUA added two more runs in the seventh, beginning with another Mierwa walk.  He then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch.  Kalokitis walked and McCarthy drove in both runners with a double down the left field line.  That made it 8-4 CUA.

Michael Parco scored an unearned run in the CUA half of the eighth to set the final tally at 9-4.

Kevin Farley got the start and earned the win for CUA on the hill, going six innings, striking out seven and allowing three earned runs.  Adam Schroth and Chris Nee worked the final three innings out of the bullpen.

Nick Moeltner suffered the loss after going four innings and allowing four runs on three hits for Eastern. 

On Monday, CUA hosts Johns Hopkins at Talbot Field.  First pitch is set for 3 p.m.