Freshman Isabelle Engel, a Jersey Shore graduate, stroked three hits and worked into the seventh inning of game two in the circle to lead the Lycoming College softball team, which fell in their home opener and Landmark Conference opener, 10-1 and 8-1, against the Catholic University of America on Saturday at Lycoming Valley Intermediate School.

In both contests, Catholic (11-5, 2-0 Landmark) built early leads against Lycoming (4-6, 0-2 Landmark). After two innings in game one, Catholic led, 8-0 thanks to a six-run second that was capped off by a two-run home run from Katie Scolese. Lycoming responded by pushing across a run on an RBI groundout from senior Kristen George, a Montoursville graduate, but the Cardinals scored two runs in the sixth and were able to complete the win an inning early. 

For Lycoming in the opener, junior right-hander Kendall McAnelly, a Williamsport graduate, allowed just one earned run while pitching the final three innings of the contest.

Scolese homered and drove in three for the Cardinals, who also got three hits from Elise Faxon and two hits and two RBIs apiece from Geneva Webber and Katie McHugh. Aubrynn Arcement worked five innings of one-run ball to earn the win.

In game two, the Cardinals jumped in front on a two-run home run in the first from Olivia Stinchcomb. Sam Grillo tripled in two runs an inning later for a 4-0 Catholic lead after two frames. Lycoming scored on a fourth-inning RBI double from sophomore Jocelyn McCracken, a Jersey Shore graduate.

Engel threw four scoreless frames in a row after the second, keeping the score, 4-1, going into the final frame. Catholic, though, put the game away in the seventh, scoring four more times for the final margin.

Engel stroked two hits, including a double, in game two, while McCracken and sophomore Ashley Forrest each notched a double.