Baseball Wins Two at Ripken Experience
Cards defeat RIT and Wesley in first games of the season

3/7/2008

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.- The Catholic University baseball team returned from its spring break trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C., with a 2-4 record.  This was CUA's first opportunity to play this season after four consecutive rainouts before the trip.  The Cardinals competed at the Cal Ripken Experience which showcased a number of universities.

CUA defeated the Rochester Institute of Technology 7-1 on Sunday starting off strong.  On Monday, the Cards split defeating Wesley 17-9 but falling to RIT 11-3.  Patrick Quintana (Denver, Colo./Littleton) had one hit in four at bats against Wesley but he made it count knocking a grand slam out of the park in the sixth inning.  Things didn't go as well against RIT as CUA had just seven hits and allowed a big five-run inning in the top of the third.

Tuesday, Wesley got its revenge on CUA defeating them 6-3 after jumping out to a quick lead. Neither squad had much going offensively with the Cards registering five hits for the game. Ronnie Esposito (Annville, Pa./Annville-Cleona) took the loss on the mound after pitching five innings.

Wednesday and Thursday featured a two-game series between local-rival Villa Julie.  Thursday's game was a make-up from an earlier rainout originally scheduled for Talbot Field.  Although the Cards knew their opponents it didn't give them any advantage as CUA fell 25-8 in the first game and 10-5 in the second.

On Wednesday the Cardinals were ahead 5-4 going into the top of the sixth but gave up nine runs followed by two six-run innings and couldn't answer offensively.  CUA did produce five runs in the bottom of the fifth after a pair of Mustang errors but it wasn't enough as they lost 25-8.

Thursday's finale was CUA's chance to avenge the loss but it didn't go in their favor as the Mustangs used a pair of four-run innings to get the 10-5 win.  Quintana was solid at the plate with three hits in five at bats while first-year player Mike Goodman (Brookville, Md./Sherwood) notched two RBI.

The Cards will have a few days off before hosting Messiah on Tuesday at home.  The game is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.