STATESBORO, Ga. – Georgia Southern catcher Chase Griffin combined to go 6-for-9 with three RBIs to help lead the Eagles to a pair of wins over Holy Cross in non-conference baseball action on Saturday afternoon at J.I Clements Stadium. The Eagles won the first game, 7-1, and claimed the 6-2 victory in the nightcap. With the wins, Georgia Southern improves to 13-2 overall, while the Crusaders fall to 3-8 on the season.
Game 1
Georgia Southern struck first with a pair of runs in the bottom of the opening inning to gain the 2-0 lead. Both teams combined for three hits over the next three innings before the Eagles added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to go on top 4-0.
The Crusaders pushed across its lone run of the game in the top of the seventh inning. Holy Cross junior outfielder Evan Ocello (Camarillo, Calif.) was hit by a pitch to begin the frame and moved over to second on a single by sophomore catcher Connor Perry (Haverhill, Mass.). After Ocello stole third base, he scored during the next at bat on a groundout by freshman Anthony Critelli (Holmdel, N.J.) to cut the deficit to 4-1. The Eagles scored three insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to make the score its final, 7-1.
Georgia Southern starter Josh Wirsu earned the victory (3-1), as he tossed 6.2 innings and allowed one earned run on three hits, while fanning eight batters. Crusader freshman starting pitcher Ben White (Holden, Mass.) was charged with the loss (0-1), as he surrendered four runs (three earned) and five hits. The Eagles held the 13-4 advantage in the hitting department.
Game 2
After a scoreless first inning, the Crusaders scored the first run of the game in the top of the second inning. With two outs in the frame, Critelli hit his first collegiate home run over the left field wall to give Holy Cross the 1-0 lead. Georgia Southern, however, scored a pair in the bottom of the second to grab the 2-1 lead.
The Crusaders knotted the game at 2-2 in the top of the fifth inning. Critelli led off the frame with a double down the left field line. Two batters later, Holy Cross first baseman Shane Sandoval (Westerly, R.I.) ripped an infield single at the shortstop to put runners on the corners. Crusader freshman Josh Hassell (Tulsa, Okla.) plated Critelli during the next at-bat on a squeeze bunt to knot the score at 2-2. The Eagles countered with three runs in the fifth inning and one in the sixth to make the score its final, 6-2.
Georgia Southern pitcher Eric Alonzo picked up his first win of the season (1-0), as he pitched 1.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen for the Eagles. Holy Cross freshman starting pitcher Phil Reese (Frederick, Md.) was charged with the loss (1-2), as he allowed five runs on 10 hits over 4.1 innings of work.
Holy Cross was led offensively by Critelli, who batted 2-for-4 with two runs, a double, a home run and one RBI. Ocello also went 2-for-4 in the contest, while freshman catcher Alex Voitik (Shorewood, Ill.) went 2-for-2 for the Crusaders. Georgia Southern held the 12-8 edge in hits.
Ocello now extends his hitting streak to 12 games, while Critelli is currently riding a 10-game streak.
The Crusaders and Eagles will conclude their four-game series on Sunday, March 9, with a single contest at 1:30 p.m.
