THE BASICS:
- Score (GM1): Brown 3, Holy Cross 0
- Score (GM2): Holy Cross 12, Brown 11
- Records: Holy Cross (8-15), Brown (4-10)
- Location: Worcester, Mass.
- Date: March 27, 2016
- The Lead: Holy Cross junior outfielder Josh Hassell (Tulsa, Okla.) batted 4-for-8 with three runs scored, two homers and four RBIs to help lead the Crusaders to a doubleheader split with Brown in non-conference baseball action on Sunday afternoon at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field. The Bears won the first game, 3-0, while Holy Cross earned a 12-11 walk-off victory in game two thanks to a three-run homer by junior Anthony Critelli (Holmdel, N.J.) in the bottom of the ninth.
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME 1):
- After three full frames without any runs, Brown broke the stalemate in the top of the fourth inning with two scores to go on top, 2-0.
- The Bears added an insurance run in the top of the fifth to gain a 3-0 lead.
- In the bottom of the sixth, Critelli broke up the Brown no-hitter with a one-out single and moved over to third on the next at-bat on a double by junior Alex Voitik (Shorewood, Ill.). Brown starter Austin French, however, got back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning and preserve the lead.
- Holy Cross threatened in the bottom of the seventh, as sophomore Cam O'Neill (Lynn, Mass.) drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a base hit by senior Shane Sandoval (Westerly, R.I.). French, though, was able to get three straight outs to clinch the victory for the visitors.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GAME 1):
- French picked up his second win of the season (2-1) in the complete game shutout. He allowed only three hits and three walks, while fanning 11 batters.
- Holy Cross junior starter Justin Finan (Barrington, R.I.) was charged with the loss (0-3), as he surrendered three runs on four hits in 4.1 innings of work.
- Crusader junior reliever Joe Cravero (Hanover, N.H.) came in for Finan in the fifth inning and tossed 2.2 perfect innings of work and recorded four punchouts.
- Brown held a 4-3 edge in total hits and the 2-1 advantage in extra-base hits.
- Both teams struggled defensively, as Holy Cross committed four errors to Brown's two.
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME 2):
- Holy Cross grabbed the early lead in the bottom of the first, thanks to a pair of solo home runs by Hassell and Voitik to put the hosts on top 2-0.
- Brown answered with three runs in the top of the second to gain a 3-2 lead, but an RBI-double by senior Nick Lovullo (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) to plate O'Neill in the bottom half of the frame tied the game at 3-3.
- The Bears broke the tie in the top of the third, as Brian Ginsberg hit a three-run home run to put Brown ahead by three scores (6-3).
- Holy Cross was able to get two runs back in the bottom of the fourth, as senior Bobby Indeglia (North Kingstown, R.I.) belted a two-run jack, which scored O'Neill and made the score 6-5.
- The Crusaders gained the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. With the bases loaded, Lovullo plated sophomore Thomas Russo (Weston, Mass.) on a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 6-6. During the next at-bat, Hassell launched his second homer of the nightcap – a three-run home run – to give Holy Cross a 9-6 advantage.
- Brown, however, rallied in the top of the ninth inning with five runs to gain an 11-9 lead.
- In the bottom of the ninth, Lovullo drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. Hassell then hit a single through the left side to put runners on the corners to set the stage for Critelli. On a 1-0 count, Critelli hit a high drive over the left field fence to bring home three runs and give the Crusaders a walk-off 12-11 victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GAME 2):
- Holy Cross senior reliever Sean Gustin (Stoneham, Mass.) picked up the win (1-1), but was responsible for five earned runs in the top of the ninth inning.
- Crusader junior righty George Capen (Gainesville, Va.) tossed 3.1 shutout frames out of the bullpen and allowed only one hit and one walk, while classmate Jon Escobar (Inverness, Ill.) pitched two perfect innings of relief in the seventh and eighth.
- Brown relief pitcher Matt Beyer was charged with the loss (0-1), as he allowed three runs and two hits in one inning pitched.
- Both teams had 11 hits apiece, but Holy Cross held an 8-5 edge in extra-base hits and a 5-1 advantage in home runs.
- Hassell and Voitik now lead the team with four home runs this season, while Critelli hit his third of the year and Indeglia recorded his second of the campaign.
- Hassell batted 4-for-5 with the two home runs, while O'Neill hit 2-for-3 with three runs scored.
UP NEXT:
- Holy Cross returns to action on Tuesday, March 29, when it hosts Hartford at 5:05 p.m.
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