ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Holy Cross softball team lost a pair of games on its opening day. The Crusaders fell, 2-1 to Georgetown, followed by a 7-0 loss to Towson.

Bailey Chavez led the way for the Crusaders at the plate going 3-for-6 on the day. Bailey Bates had a successful collegiate debut, going 2-for-4 with a walk. Bella Jankowski and Jessie Nagel each had a hit, with Nagel picking up a double and an RBI and Jankowski also drawing a walk. Kaci Neveling, Olivia Eckelman, and Kari Jacobson all stole bases on the day, with Neveling also scoring a run.

In the circle, Kelly Nelson picked up where she left off striking out the first batter she faced, along with six more after that for seven Ks over 6.0 innings. She drew the start against Georgetown and allowed just two runs on two hits and a walk.

Katie Barbarick got the start against Towson and went 2.1 innings. Mel Leach and Peyton Morehouse came on in relief with Leach going 1.2 innings and Morehouse a full 2.0, while only allowing one hit.
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Game 1 vs. Georgetown
Top First

• Neveling reached on an error to lead off the inning and promptly stole second.
• Nagel got her first RBI of the year when she doubled to left, driving home Neveling.

Bottom First

• Nelson struck out the first batter of the inning and had no issues getting through the rest of the first.

Bottom Second

• Savannah Jones homered with two outs in the frame to tie the game at one.

Top Fifth

• Eckelman drew a walk with two outs and stole second, but was stranded there.

Bottom Fifth

• Jones hit her second solo shot of the game to give the Hoyas the lead.

Top Seventh

• Jankowski started the inning with a single up the middle, and advanced to second on a ground out.
• Georgetown ended the game with a strikeout to keep the Crusaders from tying it up.

 
Game 2 vs. Towson
Bottom First

• Towson took the lead on a solo home run.

Bottom Second

• The Tigers added two more runs in the second on a trio of hits, but Holy Cross got out of the inning when Erin Bengston caught a runner stealing at third.

Top Third

• Jacobson reached on an error and then stole second.
• Towson got out of the inning, stranding Jacobson.

Bottom Third

• The Tigers scored two more on another home run.

Top Fourth

• Chavez opened the inning with a single and Bates followed with a single of her own.
• After Jankowski drew a walk, the Crusaders had the bases loaded, but the Tigers forced a pop out to get out of trouble.

Bottom Fourth

• Towson used a single and two doubles to stretch their lead to seven to wrap the scoring for the game.

 
UP NEXT:
Holy Cross will continue play at the Winthrop Tournament tomorrow, Feb 15, when it takes on Virginia at 3 p.m. and Winthrop at 5:30 p.m.