• Score: Holy Cross 6, UMass 3
• Records: Holy Cross (6-12); UMass (3-8)
• Location: Amherst, Mass.
• Date: March 22, 2016
• The Lead: Holy Cross junior Josh Hassell (Tulsa, Okla.) and freshman Kellen McCormick (Rockford, Ill.) both recorded a trio of hits to help lead the Crusaders to a 6-3 victory over UMass in non-conference baseball action on Tuesday afternoon at Earl Lorden Field.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After a scoreless first, Holy Cross gained a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, as sophomore Thomas Russo (Weston, Mass.) launched a solo home run – the first of his career – over the right-field fence.
• The Minutemen, however, countered with two runs in the second inning and one score in the third to gain a 3-1 advantage.
• The Crusaders were able to gain the lead back in the top of the fifth inning. Hassell plated freshman Travis Cloney (Wall, N.J.) on an RBI-single for the first run of the frame to slice the deficit to 3-2. Holy Cross went ahead 4-3 later in the inning on a two-RBI base knock by junior Anthony Critelli (Holmdel, N.J.) to score Hassell and senior Nick Lovullo (Thousand Oaks, Calif.).
• Holy Cross added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the ninth, as Cloney belted his first career home run – a two-run homer – which scored McCormick to make the score its final, 6-3.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Holy Cross junior starting pitcher Zach Fox (Los Gatos, Calif.) picked up the win (1-1), as he allowed three runs on five hits in 5.1 innings of work. Fox struck out six batters and issued a trio of walks.
• Crusader senior closer Sean Gustin (Stoneham, Mass.) picked up his fifth save of the season, as he recorded two punchouts in a perfect ninth inning.
• Holy Cross junior relievers Joe Cravero (Hanover, N.H.) and Jon Escobar (Inverness, Ill.) combined to throw 2.2 shutout innings of relief and recorded two and three strikeouts, respectively.
• UMass starter Casey Aubin was charged with the loss (0-2), as he surrendered four runs on six hits in 4.2 innings pitched.
• Holy Cross held an 11-7 advantage in total hits and a 4-2 edge in extra-base knocks.
• Hassell (3-for-5) and McCormick (3-for-4) were the only Crusaders with multiple-hit games.
• Both Russo and Cloney recorded the first home run of their respective careers.

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross returns to action on Wednesday, March 23, when it hosts UMass Lowell in its home opener at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field. First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m.

STAY CONNECTED:

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