WASHINGTON, D.C.- Eastern University Baseball opened its 2013 season with a tough 2-1 loss against Catholic University. Pitchers Lucas Bremmerman and Ben Melendez allowed only four hits, but the host Cardinals were able to hold the Eastern attack to only a single run in the nine inning game.

"Bremmerman and Melendez did a good job of attacking and throwing strikes," said Eastern Head Coach Jed Morris. "They got a lot of quick outs and gave us a chance to win." Bremmerman gave up three hits, a walk and one earned run over six innings, and Melendez allowed a hit, a walk, and a run in his two innings. The two juniors coaxed 14 ground ball outs from the Cardinals (3-0).

Morris, coaching in his first game, was very pleased with his squad's error-free defense. The Eagles, who have not been on their field yet this spring, likely caught a little bit of a break with the game being moved to the turf field at Gallaudet. 

After the Eagles went quietly in the top of the first, the Eastern defense had its first test after Bremmerman walked the Catholic lead-off hitter. Senior third baseman Mark Royer started a 5-4-3 double play to shift momentum in the Eagles' favor.

The Eagles picked up their run in the top of the second. Devon Ziegenfuss pulled a double to left to lead off the inning. He advanced to third on an Eric Rossi ground out to the right side and scored on a sacrifice fly from Dillon Schwartzer.

The Eagles put at least one runner on base in each of the final eight innings of the game, but Eastern was unable to plate an insurance run and the Cardinals, who sent the minimum to the plate in the first four innings, finally put together two hits in the fifth to tie the game.

Catholic grabbed the lead off Melendez in the seventh after a leadoff and a two-out single to center.

Three Eastern players, outfielders Angelo Kelly and CJ Appenzeller, and first baseman Joe Grotto played in their first career games this afternoon.

The Eagles are scheduled to host Arcadia University on Tuesday afternoon. Check goeasterneagles.com or follow EUEagles on twitter for all weather-related baseball changes.

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