STATESBORO, Ga. – Holy Cross junior outfielder Evan­ Ocello (Camarillo, Calif.) and junior infielder Jack St. Clair (Newton, Mass.) both batted 2-for-5, but the Crusaders were defeated by Georgia Southern, 9-8, on Sunday afternoon at J.I. Clements Stadium. With the win, the Eagles sweep the four-game series and move to 14-2 on the season, while the Crusaders fall to 3-9 overall.

Holy Cross scored the game's first run on and RBI-single by senior outfielder Brandon Cipolla (Abington, Mass.) to plate sophomore shortstop Nick Lovullo (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) and gain the 1-0 lead. The Eagles, however countered with one run in the bottom of the second inning and three in the bottom of the third to grab the 4-1 advantage. The Crusaders cut the deficit to 4-2 in the top of the fourth, as Ocello hit his second home run of the season over the left field wall.

Georgia Southern tacked on three runs in the bottom of the fourth to go on top 7-2, but the Crusaders responded with one in the top of the sixth to make the score 7-3. St. Clair plated Ocello on an RBI-base hit for Holy Cross' third run of the contest. The Eagles, however, pushed their lead back to five runs with one score in the seventh inning to grab the 8-3 lead.

The two squads traded runs in the seventh inning to make the score 9-4, as St. Clair scored the Crusaders' fourth run on an RBI by sophomore outfielder Bobby Indeglia (North Kingstown, R.I.). Holy Cross pushed across three runs in the top of the eighth inning to cut the deficit to 9-7. Crusader sophomore catcher Connor Perry (Haverhill, Mass.) plated the first run of the inning on an RBI-single to score St. Clair. Three batters later, Holy Cross freshman designated hitter Alex Voitik (Shorewood, Ill.) drove home two on a double into right field to make the score 9-7.

The Crusaders had a chance to tie the game in the top of the ninth, but were only able to score once in the frame. St. Clair brought home Ocello for his third run of the game on a single through the right side, but Georgia Southern was able to force a double play to end the Crusaders' rally.

Eagles starting pitcher Will Middour earned the victory (1-0), as he allowed three runs (two earned) in 5.2 innings of work. Holy Cross junior starter Donny Murray (Walpole, Mass.) was charged with the loss (1-2), as he allowed four earned runs and six hits over 2.2 innings pitched.  

Ocello went 2-for-5 with three runs scored and one home run, while St. Clair went 2-for-5 with one run and two RBIs. Georgia Southern held the 14-9 advantage in total hits.

Holy Cross returns to action on Saturday, March 15, for a doubleheader at St. Johns beginning at 12:00 p.m.