WASHINGTON, DC – The Catholic University Cardinals jumped on the Spartan baseball squad early, survived a York rally and then put the game away late to earn a 15-8 non-conference win from Talbot Field in Washington on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon.
The Cardinals have now won six straight while the Spartans had their three-game win streak snapped.
 
Records: York 4-5, Catholic 10-5
Score: York 8, Catholic 15
Hits: York 11, Catholic 13
Errors: York 2, Catholic 3
 
How It Happened
• After a quiet top of the first inning, the Cardinals jumped on Spartan starter Steven Hendrix for eight runs on seven hits with a walk and a pair of Spartan errors in an inning plus of work. The Cardinals got six in the bottom of the first and then got two more in the bottom of the second to seize control of the game early.
• York did get a run back in the top of the second as Brendan Martin doubled in Joe Capobianco for York's first tally. York had runners at second and third with one out but the Cardinals snuffed out the rally with a strikeout and a fly out.
• After a calm third inning for both teams, the Spartans put up a two spot in the top of the fourth. Andrew Santarpia doubled won the left field line to lead off the inning. Davaughn Reid stroked a hard single to center, moving Santarpia to third. Santarpia came around to score when the Cardinal center fielder had trouble handling the base hit. Martin recorded an infield single, moving Reid to second. A fly out moved Reid to third and he scored on a failed pick-off attempt of Martin at first base. With Martin at second and one out, the Cardinals got a strikeout and a foul out to end the frame.
• The Cardinals responded in the bottom of the fourth with three runs as Ben Nardi blasted a solo homer to right to push the lead to 9-3. Peter Giombetti singled following Nardi's homer and he came around to score on Matt Tesoriero's two run homer to center as the Cardinal lead grew to 11-3.
• The Spartans erupted for five runs in the top of the fifth as Austin Denlinger and Jack Barry started off the inning with walks. Capobianco singled through the left side to load the bases. Santarpia singled to right to score Denlinger with the inning's first run. After a pop up for out number one. Martin then continued his big day with a grand slam to center, clearing the bases and cutting the Spartan deficit to 11-8.
• York had a great chance in the sixth to trim the Cardinal lead but with two on and two outs. However Nardi robbed Reid of two RBIs with a diving grab as the ball headed to the right field corner, ending the inning without the Spartans being able to trim the lead further.
• The Cardinals put the game out of reach in the bottom of the seven with a two-out rally as Catholic loaded the bases and Zach Burton blasted a grand slam to turn a three run lead into a seven run bulge.
 
Spartan Offensive Leaders
Brendan Martin: 4-for-5, 1 run, 5 RBI, 2B, HR
Andrew Santarpia: 2-for-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 2B, BB
Garrett Kile: 2-for-4
Davaughn Reid: 2-for-5, 1 run
 
Spartan Pitching
Steven Hendrix: 1.0+ IP, 7 hits, 8 runs, 5 ER, 1 BB
Brandon Purdy: 3.0 IP, 3 hits, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Nick Cavallo: 3.0 IP, 2 hits, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5K
Yandel Tolentino: 1.0 IP, 1 hit, 1 K
 
Spartan Game Notes
The Spartans still lead the all-time series with the Cardinals 41-25-1 but Catholic has won two straight in the series … the game featured a combined five home runs including grand slams for each team … the 15 runs allowed tied a season high (vs. Lynchburg on March 4) … York allowed five home runs which matched the total they had surrendered in their last eight games combined … junior Brendan Martin had a career day as the Spartans designated hitter banged out a career-high four hits with a home run, a double and a career-high five RBI … the Spartans have been outscored 21-17 in the first inning of games this year … the 21 runs allowed are the most in any inning by nine runs … York is now 1-5 when their opponent scores in the first inning and 2-3 when their opponent scores first … the Spartans are now 1-5 when their opponent hits a home run in the game.
 
Up Next
The Spartans get right back on the field on Wednesday afternoon as they open up their home slate. York faces off against a second straight Landmark Conference opponent as Elizabethtown College comes to Jaquet Field for a non-conference contest. First pitch from York is set for 3:30 pm.