| Stat Comparison |
| Category |
HC |
UH |
| Runs |
3 |
2 |
| Hits |
6 |
6 |
| Erros |
1 |
0 |
| Left On Base |
4 |
10 |
| Box Score |
HOUSTON, Texas. – The Holy Cross baseball team opened its 2018 season with a 3-2 victory over #24 Houston on Friday night at Schroeder Park.
Senior Thomas Russo batted 2-for-4 on the night with a run scored to help lead the Crusaders' (1-0) offense. Sophomore Alex Volpi also had a strong night at the plate, hitting 1-for-4 with a run scored and a pair of RBIs. Lael Lockhart and Connor Hollis each scored runs for Houston (0-1), while Joe Davis and Jared Triolo each recorded an RBI.
Sophomore Zane Hedaya earned the win on the mound for the Crusaders, pitching 2.1 innings in relief and tallying four strikeouts with no runs allowed. Senior Michael Spada started the game for Holy Cross, allowing one run on two hits in one inning. Joey Pulido took the loss for the Cougars, allowing one run on three hits in 3.0 innings pitched.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Russo led off with a single to center field in the first at-bat of the season to get the offense started in the first for the Crusaders. After sophomore Austin Masel grounded out to advance Russo, Volpi took to the plate and homered to left field to give Holy Cross a 2-0 lead.
- Houston responded in the bottom of the inning, as Davis hit an RBI single to center field to score Hollis and make it a one-run game.
- In the bottom of the fourth, the Cougars tied the game up as Triolo hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bring home Lockhart and make it a 2-2 game.
- The Crusaders broke the tie in the top of the eighth, as Masel grounded out to first to bring home sophomore Chris Rinaldi.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Crusaders last defeated a nationally-ranked team last season, when they downed #25 Nebraska in the NCAA Tournament.
- Hedaya earned his first career pitching win.
- Volpi's home run was the second of his career.
- Freshmen Cam Meyer, Garret Keough, Eric Lopes and Noah Luckenbaugh each made their collegiate debuts.
UP NEXT
- Holy Cross returns to action tomorrow, Feb. 17, as they face Houston in the second game of the weekend series at 7:30 p.m. eastern.
