WASHINGTON, D.C. (APRIL 30, 2022) – Susquehanna University took both ends of a Landmark Conference doubleheader in the nations capital to lock up the No. 1 seed and hosting responsibilities for the Landmark Conference Tournament taking the first game 4-1, before run-ruling Catholic University 9-1 in five innings in the nightcap.

Game 1: Susquehanna 4, Catholic 1
The River Hawks (25-7) came ready to play in the first game of the doubleheader, jumping out in front in the first inning. Lexi Palumbo got the inning started with a one-out walk before moving up a base on an Ashley Warner walk. With two on and one out Kiara Bryant ripped a triple into the right centerfield ally, scoring both Palumbo and Warner, to give SU an early 2-0 lead. Following a Zoe Bork groundout, Morgan Henry singled up the middle to score Bryant, pushing the lead to 3-0.

Catholic responded in their half of the first however, as Sophia Fike led off the inning with a double to right. Three batters later, after a groundout and a walk, Fike came around to score as Sammy Phillips drove a double to right center. That was all the scoring the Cardinals did, as Susquehanna starter Gabby Bubba settled in.

Both teams traded a single base runner in the second inning, before Susquehanna added to their lead in the top of the third. Bryant led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch before stealing second. Bork then singled to left field allowing Bryant to touch home, to extend the lead to 4-1. That was all the insurance Susquehanna pitchers needed, as Bubba and Katie Murphy allowed just three Cardinals to reach bases from the third inning onwards.

Bubba worked through the fourth inning, as she collected the win, allowing one earned run on two hits, while striking out two and walking three, before giving way to Murphy. Murphy picked up right where she left off following her dominant performance on Thursday at Dickinson, going three innings, allowing just two base runners, both coming via the free pass, while striking out five.

On offense Susquehanna was paced by Bryant who finished 2-for-3 with a triple, a single, two RBIs, two stolen bases, and two runs scored. Palumbo finished 1-for-3, tallying a single, a walk, and a run scored, while Henry also finished 1-for-3 with a single and one RBI.

Game 2: Susquehanna 9, Catholic 1
The second game followed a similar trend as the first as Susquehanna once again jumped out to an early first inning lead.

Erin Bean led off the game with a walk before advancing to third on a single from Warner and a fly out from Bryant. With two outs however, the River Hawk bats came to life. With runners on the corners, Bork started a run of four straight singles, singling through the left side allowing for Bean to come home. Henry then singled allowing the bases to be loaded before Rosemarie Mirabella ripped a single to left field plating Bork and Warner. The final two runs of the frame came across as Nicole Plesh drove a single up the middle scoring Henry and Mirabella, to give SU a 5-0 lead.

Once again, Catholic got a run back in the bottom of the first, as Fike led off with a single to left center. After a fielder's choice, Phillips was hit by a pitch, before Allie Lajeunesse singled up the middle, to cut the lead to 5-1.

Susquehanna extended the lead in the top of the second inning as Palumbo reached on a one-out fielding error by the Cardinal third baseman and advancing to second as Warner was hit by a pitch. Bryant then singled to center loading the bases, leading to Bork doubling to left field scoring both Palumbo and Warner. After a pitching change for the Cardinals, Henry added an insurance marker by grounding out to the pitcher allowing for Bryant to score.

Once again, SU starter Gabby Bubba received more than enough run support, finishing the game going two innings allowing one run on two hits, while walking one batter before making way for Katie Murphy. Murphy threw the final three innings, surrendering one hit and one walk, while striking out five.

With Susquehanna leading 8-1, heading to the fifth, the River Hawks needed one run to invoke the run rule, and they did just that. Plesh started off the frame with a bunt single before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt from Hailey Kaba and advancing to third on a wild pitch. With Plesh on third and one away, Bean singled to left field plating Plesh and extending the lead to 9-1.

Catholic got two runners on base in the home half of the fifth following a leadoff walk and a two out single, but Murphy was able to induce a fly ball to left field to end the game.

On offense eight of the nine River Hawk hitters collected a hit, as Bork led the way going 3-for-3, with two singles and a double, driving in three runs, and scoring once. Plesh also finished the contest going 3-for-3, tallying three singles, two RBIs, and scoring once.

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Up Next

• With the wins the River Hawks secured the top seed in the Landmark Conference Tournament. The Championships are scheduled to begin Friday, May 6 with two games. Susquehanna will host Catholic University in game one beginning at 1 p.m., while Moravian and Scranton will square off in the other game with an estimated start time of 3 p.m. at Sassafras Field.

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