WASHINGTON – The Gallaudet University softball team lost a doubleheader against cross-town rival Catholic University of America (CUA) at the CUA Softball Field on Sunday afternoon. The Bison lost the first game 8-1 and the second game 14-3 in five innings.

Gallaudet (10-8) scored its lone run in the first inning on a Rachel Sweigart (Big Rock, Ill.) RBI-single to right field that scored senior third baseman Kara Gulvas (Crown Point, Ind.) as the Bison led 1-0 in the first game.

The Bison gave up three runs in the third inning to Catholic (9-5) as the Cardinals took a 4-1 lead. Amy Laughner was able to advance to third base on a sacrifice bunt, after being walked, then scored on a RBI-double by Taylor Stockinge (2-for-3). Stockinge then scored on a RBI-single to center field by Mel Galella (3-for-3, three runs), who scored on a single to right field by Christy Sanchez.

Sweigart (5-3) pitched six innings for the Bison as she surrendered eight runs on 10 hits, walked three and struck out two. At the plate, Sweigart went 1-for-2 with a RBI and a walk. CUA pitcher Tori Marcavage (3-2) pitched a complete game and as she allowed one run on five hits, walked two and struck out nine Bison batters.

In the second game, Gallaudet started off strong in the first inning as it plated two runs but the Cardinals, who scored twice in the bottom half, quickly erased the lead. Catholic broke open the game with seven runs in the second and added five more runs before the fifth inning. GU pushed across one additional run in the fourth but it was not enough to knock off the Cardinals.

Sophomore pitcher Montana Murphy (Simi Valley, Calif.) suffered the loss as she pitched the complete game and allowed 14 runs (12 earned) on 15 hits and two walks. Freshman left fielder Zamica Gage (Austin, Texas) went 2-for-2 with a run scored. Kerri Apicella (2-1) got the win for the Cardinals after she pitched three innings and gave up two runs on two hits with four walks and three strikeouts.

Gallaudet will face Wesley College on Saturday, March 30, for a non-conference doubleheader at DuPont Field in Dover, Del., as the first game begins at 1 p.m.