Arlington, Va. – Marymount University's baseball team split with CAC rival Mary Washington on Saturday afternoon, battling back to win the opener 7-5 before dropping the nightcap 8-1 to the Eagles.  The Saints now own a 2-14 record in conference play and sit at 8-24 overall.

In the opener, Sean Gallagher paced the offense with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate, while Danny Russell also went 2-for-2 with two runs scored.  Roy Coates collected three RBIs for the Saints, including both the tying run in the sixth and the eventual winning run in the eighth.

Mary Washington struck first, plating three runs on two hits and four free passes in its opening frame.  The Saints escaped a bases loaded jam to limit the damage, but the Eagles continued their offensive bout in the second inning, pushing across a lone tally with another pair of hits.

After scoreless third and fourth innings, Marymount found its rhythm in the top of the fifth.  Gallagher led off with a sharp single to right, advancing to second on a wild pitch.  Gallagher used a ground-out to move up to third; a subsequent walk issued to Coates gave the Saints an ideal scoring situation.  Coates took off for second, drawing a throw and allowing Gallagher to swipe home on the play.

The Blue and White continued their scoring spree in the top of the sixth.  Despite a Mary Washington pitching change, the Saints collected four runs on five hits – the dagger coming on a two-run double from Coates.  With the scored then tied, Lorenzo Calderon sent a shot through the left side to plate Coates and give Marymount the 5-4 advantage.

The Eagles fired back in their half of the seventh, plating the equalizer with a sacrifice fly.

Marymount, however, refused to let the momentum switch hands.  The Saints used hits from Gallagher and Russell to set the table for a sacrifice fly – courtesy of Coates – to plate what proved to be the winning run. 

Though Karlis Graubics and Macon Heikes combined for an insurance run in the ninth, the Eagles could not muster another score.

Saints reliever Jake Kniatt earned the win, while closer Jason Freishtat procured the save.

Battling the impending twilight, the nightcap only saw six innings completed.

Mary Washington once again jumped ahead in its opening at-bats, this time posting six runs on six hits to open the contest.  The Eagles tacked on additional strikes in the third and fifth innings before the Saints responded in the sixth.

In what proved to be the final inning, Marymount was able to rally for a single score.  Jack Breheny chipped in a pinch-hit single to get the Saints started, eventually coming around to score on a Brandon Savage single through the right side.

The game was called for darkness after Marymount was retired in the top of the sixth.

Marymount returns to action on Monday, April 21, as it travels to Randolph-Macon for a nonconference matchup.  First pitch is slated for 3:30 p.m.