WASHINGTON, D.C. - Catholic University baseball coach Ross Natoli earned his 700th career win as the Cardinals completed a four-game sweep over Drew, winning both games of a doubleheader on Sunday at Talbot Field.
"It's been a special privilege to coach at Catholic U as long as I've had the privilege of coaching here," said Natoli. "The chance to make a difference in young men's lives, that's what keeps me going."
In his 36th season, Natoli ranks 43rd in Division III history with 700 career wins, which include a Landmark Conference record 311 since joining the league in 2008. He has led Catholic to a league-best five Landmark Conference championships and 58 all-conference selections. The Cardinals have also made three appearances in the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship.
Catholic (4-0, 4-0 LC) improved its record to 15-3 against the Rangers at Talbot Field since 2008.
Game 1: Catholic 14, Drew 3
The Cardinals scored at least one run in seven of their eight offensive innings in game one to give Natoli his 700th win in convincing fashion.
Senior Nolan Lundholm went 4-for-4 with three runs and two RBIs while junior Conor Casey was 3-for-3 with two runs. Junior Tommy Antonucci was 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs.
Catholic scored all the runs it would need in the first two innings as the team totaled seven runs on eight hits.
The Cardinals scored three runs in the first before they even made an out. Senior Michael Doody and junior Peter Giombetti each had an RBI-single while Doody scored on a wild pitch.
In the second, Antonucci laced a two-run double down the left field line before scoring on an RBI-single by Lundholm. Lundholm later scored on a Drew field error to put Catholic in front, 7-0.
Lundholm added an RBI-double in the bottom of the fifth to increase the Cardinals' lead to 10-2 before freshman Jesse Lacefield, who entered the game for Lundholm in the sixth, drove in two runs with an RBI-single in the seventh to put Catholic ahead, 13-3.
On the mound, senior Chris Kelly earned his first career win after scattering three hits over 6.0 innings while allowing just two earned runs and striking out a career-high seven batters.
Game 2: Catholic 7, Drew 0
The second game saw another stellar pitching performance as junior Nick Marini held the Rangers (0-4, 0-4 LC) to just one hit over 6.0 innings while also striking out seven.
The offense continued its output as they scored seven runs on nine hits, driving in at least one run in four of Catholic's six offensive innings.
Sophomore Zach Burton blasted the team's fifth home run in the last two days with a solo shot to left center in the bottom of the second to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead. He finished the game 1-for-1 with one RBI, two runs and two walks.
Senior Tighe Watson provided the only run Catholic would need on an RBI-single with two outs in the bottom of the first. He went 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored.
The Cardinals added three runs in the fourth, highlighted by an RBI-single from senior Kendric Musser and sacrifice fly by sophomore Ben Nardi.
Four of Catholic's seven runs were unearned as it took advantage of two Ranger errors, one of which led to two runs in the bottom of the fifth to put the Cardinals ahead by seven.
Catholic will now have a week off before returning to action with a doubleheader at Juniata on Friday, April 2. First pitch is at 12:30 p.m.