Strong pitching, timely hitting lift Cards to two wins

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WASHINGTON – CUA moved to 3-0 on Sunday by sweeping a doubleheader from Muhlenberg and Eastern. Due to the recent rain, the games were played on the campus of Gallaudet University. In game one, the Cards used a five-run 5th inning to down the Mules 8-3, and in the nightcap, Chris McCloud drove in the eventual game-winning run with a single in the 7th.

In game number-one, CUA began the 2nd with three straight singles. McCloud then drove in the first run with a sac fly to center.

The Mules took the lead with three runs in the top of the 3rd, but CUA tied things with two runs in its half of the 4th. Marc Hanna led off with a walk and eventually came around on Pat DeToro's two-out single.

The Cardinals blew things open with a five-run 5th, with the first eight batters reaching base. Dan Hinchcliff got things started with an infield single and then moved down to second on an error.

Following a wild pitch, Wes Stonelake plated Hinchcliff with a single to right to make it 4-3. Brendan Breslin then reached on a fielder's choice and Hanna followed with a single to load the bases.

Muhlenberg errors brought home the next four runs and CUA went in front 8-3 after five.

Colin Kelly, Dustin Hanley and Sean Van Gieson kept the Mules off the scoreboard the rest of the way, with Kelly earning the win after striking out two in three innings and allowing only one hit.

Christian Ferlan took the loss for the Mules, after he allowed two earned runs on eight hits in four innings.

Hanna finished with three hits in four at bats, while Hinchcliff went 2 for 4.

In game two against the Eagles, Robin Mowatt, Brian Cahill, Kory Smigocki and Chris Nee combined to allow only five hits and one run, while striking out six. Mowatt was the winner after going five and fanning three, with Nee throwing a scoreless 9th to earn the save.

Eastern scored the game's first run in the 2nd when Devon Ziegenfuss led off with a double and eventually came around on a sac fly.

CUA pulled even in the 5th when Hanna doubled to center to lead off and moved to third on Clary's sacrifice bunt.

A two-out single by McCloud brought Hanna across and the score was knotted at one.

McCloud then delivered again in the 7th when he brought home Hanna again with two outs to put the Cards on top for the first time.

Smigocki and Nee did the rest to keep the Cards unbeaten during the early going.

On Monday, CUA welcomes McDaniel to Talbot Field for the 2013 home opener. Start time is set for 3 p.m.