CUA completes series sweep of Crusaders with 14-2 win on Senior Day

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WASHINGTON – A five-run 1st inning paved the way for a 14-2 win on Sunday for CUA to complete a sweep of Susquehanna. The Cardinals celebrated Senior Day in a big way, scoring three or more runs in three innings and collecting 13 hits on the afternoon. Mark Kalokitis, Chris McCloud, Brendan Breslin and Dan Hinchcliff all finished with two hits.

With Sunday's win, CUA has clinched the top seed in next month's Landmark Conference Tournament. The Cardinals will host the event, beginning action on Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m. CUA has won three Landmark Conference titles, including in 2011.

CUA wasted little time in establishing control of this one, scoring five runs in the bottom of the 1st. Pat DeToro led off with a single and moved down to second on a walk to Stefan Poggioli.

Kalokitis then drove in DeToro with a single to make it 1-0. Breslin added a run-scoring single of his own to make it 2-0 and Marc Hanna followed with a two-run single to put the Cards in front by four.

Charlie Dillon then got into the act, driving in Hanna with a single to center.

Susquehanna got on the board with a single run in the 2nd, but CUA pushed the lead back up to five with a run in its half of the 3rd. DeToro's sac fly plated Breslin and made it 6-1.

The lead reached eight after CUA pushed three more runs across in the 4th. A Susquehanna error allowed the first run to score, and a wild pitch brought in the second.

Hanna then grounded into a double play, but Nick Clary came home on the play to make it 9-1.

The Crusaders scored their second run in the 5th, but CUA came right back with four more in the bottom half of the frame.

Hinchcliff led off with a single and DeToro reached on an error. Later, Kalokitis and McCloud drew back-to-back walks with the bases loaded to force in two runs, and Breslin drove in another run with a single to left.

Hanna's fly out to left plated Kalokitis and CUA was in front 13-2.

The Cardinals completed their scoring in the 7th when Liam Joyce drew a bases loaded walk.

Colin Kelly earned the win on the mound for CUA, throwing five innings, and allowing just one run and five hits.

Kory Smigocki, Will O'Leary, Sean Van Gieson, Rob Steinkopf, Chris Nee and Josh Martin also pitched for the Cards.

Brian Wendig was dealt the loss for the Crusaders, allowing six runs and walking five in three innings. Susquehanna walked 11 batters on the day.

CUA closes out its homestand on Tuesday when the Cardinals host Stevenson. First pitch from Talbot Field is set for 4 p.m.