Box Score

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Catholic junior right fielder Robbie O'Brien blasted a two-out, three-run homerun in the top of the ninth inning to lead the Cardinals to a 6-3 win against Gettysburg in non-conference action at Kirchhoff Field on Tuesday afternoon. O'Brien was one of four Cardinals to record two hits on the day.

The Cardinals (16-18) also got a 2-for-3 effort with a walk and an RBI from junior designated hitter Mike Michalski. On the hill, freshman Andrew Moldawer put together eight strong innings, allowing no runs on two hits. He had a no-hitter through six innings of work. Moldawer also had three strikeouts, while walking just one.

For the Bullets (22-8), senior designated hitter Brian Pernice (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown) was 2-for-4 with a double. Sophomore shortstop Scott Vladyka (Stanhope, N.J./Lenape Valley Regional) and senior third baseman Andrew Freeburger (Baltimore, Md./Parkville) each contributed with a 1-for-3 performance at the plate. Vladyka also tallied a run, while Freeburger recorded a walk and an RBI.

The Cardinals jumped on the board quickly with a run in the second and never trailed. Sophomore catcher Patrick Quintana reached on a double down the left field line. A Michalski single through the left side plated Quintana with the first run of the game.

Catholic broke the game open with a run in both the fifth and seventh, and three more in the ninth. Sophomore left fielder Bobby Picardo led off the fifth with a single down the left field line. Picardo advanced to third on back-to-back bunts, and scored on a fly out to left field by junior shortstop Joseph Maca.

The Cardinals tallied another run in the seventh on two hits and a Gettysburg error, pushing the lead to 3-0, and O'Brien knocked in three with a homerun in the ninth.

Gettysburg cut the deficit in half with three runs in their half of the ninth, but that would be all the closer the Bullets would get. A fielder's choice by senior right fielder Ben Carey (Colchester, Conn./St. Bernard) scored Vladyka. A double to right center by sophomore catcher Pat Hanley (Buffalo, N.Y./Nichols School) scored senior first baseman Joe Bonyai (Torrington, Conn./Hotchkiss School), and a Freeburger single to right center plated Carey to set the final margin.

The Bullets will welcome the Eagles of Juniata to Kirchhoff Field on Wednesday afternoon. The first pitch is slated for 3:30 p.m.