Score: Holy Cross 5, Rhode Island 3
Pitching Decision: W: Danny Barlok (1-3) | L: Blaise Whitman (1-1)
Time: 5:05 p.m.
Location: Worcester, Mass. (Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field)
The Lead: Freshman Danny Barlok (Shrewsbury, Mass.) earned the win after pitching five scoreless innings, as the Crusaders defeated Rhode Island by a score of 5-3 on Wednesday afternoon at Hanover Insurance Park.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Holy Cross took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second, as senior Connor Perry (Haverhill, Mass.) led off the inning with a solo-shot home run to left field.
• The Crusaders extended their led to 3-0 in the fifth inning. After senior Shane Sandoval (Westerley, R.I.) was hit by a pitch and classmate Bobby Indeglia (North Kingston, R.I.) doubled to left field, both runners scored as senior Nick Lovullo (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) reached base on a fielding error at shortstop.
• In the seventh inning, junior Bill Schlich (Massapequa, N.Y.) scored sophomore Cam O'Neill (Lynn, Mass.) from second base with an RBI single through the left side.
• The Rams made an offensive push in the top of the eighth inning, scoring three runs on one hit to make it a 4-3 game.
• The Crusaders responded with a run to make it 5-3 in the bottom of the inning as junior Josh Hassell (Tulsa, Okla.) scored on an error.
• Junior pitcher George Capen (Gainesville, Va.) took over on the mound in the top of the ninth inning with one out and two men on base. With runners on second and third with two outs, Capen struck out the final batter to secure the win for Holy Cross.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• The Crusaders outhit the Rams 9-6.
• Both teams left nine runners on base.
• Barlok earned the win after pitching five scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and dealing six strikeouts. Capen earned the save after grabbing the final two outs of the game in the ninth inning.
• Blaise Whitman took the loss after pitching five innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits.
• O'Neill led the Crusaders offense, going 3-for-5 with a run scored.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Perry's home run was his second of the season, and the eighth of his career.
• Barlok's pitching win was the first of his career.
• Capen's save was the first of his career.

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders return to action this weekend with a four-game series against Army West Point at Hanover Insurance Park, beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at 2:05 p.m.

KEEP CONNECTED:

• Follow the Crusaders on Twitter @HCrossSoftball and on Facebook. You can also get the latest news and results on the team sent directly to your e-mail. To sign up for e-mail alerts go here.