NORFOLK, Va. – Led by career days by junior left-hander
Luke Dawson and junior first baseman
Andrew Selima, the Holy Cross baseball team bounced back for a 7-0 shutout victory over Old Dominion to earn a doubleheader split on Saturday, Feb. 22.
After falling in Game 1, 5-2, the Crusaders earned their first victory of the year in Game 2, improving to 1-4 on the year while also handing Old Dominion (4-1) its first loss of 2020.
GAME ONE:
Old Dominion 5, Holy Cross 2
W: Hunter Gregory (1-0)
L:
Garret Keough (0-2)
S: Aaron Holiday (1)
STATS LEADERS:
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Old Dominion took an early lead with a two-run homer in the first inning.
- The Monarchs' starter, Hunter Gregory, kept Holy Cross' bats quiet early, not allowing a baserunner through his first 3.1 innings.
- Old Dominion tacked on another run off a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning.
- Junior right fielder David Kale had a one-out single in the sixth, and scored on junior third baseman Cam Meyer's double to left-center. Meyer then came around to score after senior center fielder Austin Masel hit an RBI single to left field, making it a 3-2 game.
- The Monarchs extended their lead to 5-2 in the bottom half of the sixth off a wild pitch and a sac fly.
GAME TWO:
Holy Cross 7, Old Dominion 0
W:
Luke Dawson (1-0)
L: Ryne Moore (1-1)
STATS LEADERS:
- Luke Dawson (8.0 IP, no runs, seven hits, four strikeouts)
- Ben Talbot (1.0 IP, no hits, two strikeouts)
- Andrew Selima (3-for-4, double, home run, three RBI)
- Austin Masel (2-for-5, double, RBI)
- Cam Meyer (2-for-3, double)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Junior designated hitter Evan Blum reached on an error with one out in the first inning, and advanced to second on a passed ball. After Meyer was hit by a pitch, Masel had an RBI single to give Holy Cross a 1-0 lead.
- From there, it was a pitchers' duel, as neither team was able to score over the next five-and-a-half innings. Dawson held the Monarchs to just four hits in that span, and Holy Cross had just one hit: a double in the second inning from junior first baseman Andrew Selima.
- Freshman left fielder Ben Dellacono had a double to lead off the seventh inning, advanced to third on a wild pitch and came around to score after Selima had an RBI single. The Crusaders then made it a 3-0 game after senior shortstop Chris Rinaldi scored on a wild pitch.
- Dawson continued to cruise through the seventh inning; after he allowed a one-out single, he drew a double play to end the frame.
- Holy Cross put runners on second and third with nobody out in the eighth after Meyer singled and Masel doubled. Meyer scored on a wild pitch to make it a 4-0 game, and senior catcher Riley Livingston had an RBI single to score Masel and give Holy Cross a 5-0 lead. Selima then cranked a home run to right field, pushing the Crusader advantage to 7-0.
- After Dawson allowed a walk and a single to begin the bottom of the ninth, freshman right-hander Ben Talbot entered the game in relief; he drew a pop up and a pair of strikeouts to preserve the shutout.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- In just his second career start, Dawson bested his previous career high of 4.1 innings pitched while also matching his career high in strikeouts.
- Selima's home run was the first of his collegiate career; his three hits were also a career high.
- Meyer has recorded a hit in each of the Crusaders' five games this season.
- Talbot has not allowed a hit in his first two collegiate appearances.
UP NEXT:
- The Crusaders and Monarchs round out their three-game series on Sunday, Feb. 23.
- Freshman right-hander Jack DiLauro is slated to make his first career start on the mound; Old Dominion is set to start right-hander Nick Pantos.
