CUA rides five-run sixth inning to third straight win

WASHINGTON – The Cardinals made it three straight wins with a 6-3 victory over McDaniel (0-2) on Wednesday afternoon at Talbot Field.  CUA (3-1) plated five runs in the sixth inning and Jack Mahoney put an end to any hopes of a Green Terror rally by picking up his first save of the season.

Neither team was able to get much going on offense until CUA’s half of the fourth when the Cardinals went in front 1-0.  Brendan Breslin singled in L.J. Travaglia, who had led the inning off with a walk, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch.

The Green Terror tied things at one in the top of the sixth when Brandon Kline led off with a double and came around on a Cardinals error.

CUA wasted little time in getting the lead back though as the Cardinals struck for five in their half of the inning.  Matt Grieb and Tim Mierzwa were walked to begin the frame and that brought up Travaglia who bunted the runners over to second and third. 

Dave Grear then came up and singled, which brought home Grieb and moved Mierzwa over to third. 

Marc Hanna was next and his single plated Mierzwa and sent Grear to second.  Breslin delivered the big blow with a two-run triple to put CUA on top 5-1.  Marc Kalaokitis then plated Breslin with an RBI groundout and after six the Cardinals led 6-1.

It was smooth sailing from there for CUA until the Cardinals ran into some trouble in the top of the ninth.  James Chiorello led off with a double and the next two Green Terror batters walked, loading the bases for Chris Longo.  The McDaniel catcher singled to left, plating one run, which made it 6-2.

Mahoney was then called on to close this one out and responded with a strike out of the first batter he faced.  Tyler Jackow was the next hitter and he singled in Sean Lamarre to make the score 6-3, but Mahoney got Kline to bounce into a game-ending 6-4-3 double play and give CUA win number-three on the season.

Andrew Caroll improved to 1-1 for CUA with the win, after going two innings, striking out one and allowing only one hit.  Andrew Monger took the loss for McDaniel after pitching 1.1 innings and surrendering five earned runs.

Breslin went a perfect 3 for 3 for the Cardinals and drove in a pair of runs, while four other CUA batters registered one hit on the afternoon.

Three McDaniel players finished with two hits, including Kline, Jimmy Najera and Jackow.

CUA now heads to Myrtle Beach, S.C. where the Cardinals will play seven games on their annual spring break trip.  Up first is a doubleheader on Sunday, March 6 when CUA takes on Allegheny at 10 a.m. and Swarthmore at 1:30 p.m.