Score: Holy Cross 11, Bucknell 7
Pitching Decision: W: George Capen (6-1) | L: Jeff Gottesman (3-5)
Time: 12:05 p.m.
Location: Worcester, Mass. (Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field)
The Lead: With the game tied at 7-7 in the top of the 11th inning, the Crusaders scored four runs to defeat Bucknell, 11-7, sweeping the best two-out-of-three series to win their first-ever Patriot League Tournament championship. Holy Cross earns its first bid to the NCAA Tournament since 1978. The NCAA Tournament selection show is scheduled for Monday, May 29, at 12:00 p.m. on ESPN2.
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HIGHLIGHTS:
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Bucknell struck early on when Sam Clark hit a two-run homer to right field in the bottom of the first, giving the Bison the 2-0 lead heading into the second inning.
- In the top of the second, Holy Cross senior Alex Voitik blasted a home run over the left field fence, scoring himself and junior Thomas Russo to tie the game at 2-2.
- With two outs in the top of the fourth, senior Josh Hassell knocked a line drive single to left field, bringing in freshman Chris Rinaldi and giving the Crusaders a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the fourth.
- In the top of the fifth, Holy Cross senior Anthony Critelli launched a home run over the center field fence, increasing the Crusaders' advantage to 4-2.
- With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Danny Rafferty scored on a groundout by JohnPaul Bell cutting the Crusader lead to one and making the score 4-3.
- In the top of the eighth, Hassell hit a line drive to left-center field which scored freshman Jared Enders, increasing the Crusader lead to 5-3. Then, senior Bill Schlich ripped a double down the left field line, scoring Rinaldi and Hassell and giving Holy Cross a 7-3 advantage.
- With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Clark sent a home run over the left field fence cutting the Crusader lead to three and making it a 7-4 contest heading into the top of the ninth.
- Brett Smith hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth with two outs to knock in Chuckie Scales and Alex Salem and tie the game 7-7 heading into extra innings.
- With the bases loaded and one out in the top of the 11th, junior Cam O'Neill, Russo and Voitik walked, making it a 10-7 game. Then with the bases loaded, Enders was hit by a pitch which scored O'Neill and increased the Crusader lead to 11-7.
- Holy Cross senior pitcher George Capen struck out Smith to retire the side in the bottom of the 11th and clinch the 11-7 victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- The Crusaders recorded 15 hits, while the Bison recorded 13.
- Bucknell left six runners on base, while Holy Cross left 11.
- Holy Cross starter Joe Cravero allowed six hits and three runs on 7.0 innings pitched, while Mike Castellani allowed 10 hits and four runs on 6.1 innings pitched for Bucknell.
- Capen earned the win for Holy Cross allowing no runs on two hits in 2.0 innings pitched.
- Jeff Gottesman took the loss for Bucknell allowing four runs on two hits in 2.1 innings pitched.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- The Crusaders are the Patriot League Tournament champions for the first time in program history, and they advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1978.
- Senior Brendan King won the Patriot League Tournament MVP title.
- King, Schlich, Hassell and Critelli all earned spots on the Patriot League All-Tournament team.
- This marks the first time a team has gone undefeated in the Patriot League Tournament since 2014, when Bucknell went 4-0 in the tournament.
- Critelli tied the Holy Cross career home run record with his 24th home run.
UP NEXT:
- The Crusaders will return to action in the regional round of the NCAA Tournament on June 2-5. The NCAA Tournament selection show is scheduled for Monday, May 29, at 12:00 p.m. on ESPN2.
