The University of Scranton baseball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader against Catholic, falling 12-5 and 6-2, on Saturday afternoon at Volpe Field.

The Royals (8-10, 2-4 Landmark) battled through the first half of both games, but Catholic (21-8, 9-5 Landmark) pulled away in both games for the victories.

Game 1 – Catholic 12, Scranton 5

Scranton held a 3-2 lead after four innings thanks to a two-run bottom of the fourth. Senior catcher Kevin Nolan (Ossining, N.Y./Fordham Prep) had an RBI single and senior shortstop Justin Howell (Millington, N.J./Watchung Hills) had an RBI in a safety squeeze bunt.

But, Catholic broke the game open in the top of the fifth with nine runs to take an 11-3 lead en route to the win.

Senior center fielder Tommy Trotter (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) singled, doubled, walked three times, scored twice and stole two bases for the Royals. Sophomore first baseman Kevin Haag (Ossining, N.Y./Ossining/Bridgton Academy) singled, doubled, drove in a run and scored a run. Nolan finish with a hit, an RBI, a run and two stolen bases.

Game 2 – Catholic 6, Scranton 2

The Cardinals scored twice each in the fourth, seventh and eighth innings to offset single runs by the Royals in the fifth and seventh innings.

Nolan went 3-for-3 and stole three more bases, giving him five for the day, for Scranton.

Sunday's final game of the series will begin at 11 a.m. at Volpe Field.

--ROYALS--