During this unprecedented time when we are without sporting events, the Holy Cross Vault will take a look back at old stories about some of the Crusaders' top moments in recent years. Our long and storied history is filled with memories of championships, record-setting performances and accomplishments that defied the odds. The Holy Cross Vault will give you a chance to re-live some of your favorite moments from the past, or learn for the first time about things you might have missed.

This week, we look back to May 20, 2017, when the Holy Cross baseball team downed Bucknell to win the Patriot League title for the first time in school history.

Box Score

WORCESTER, Mass. - The Holy Cross baseball team scored four times in the 11th inning, to break a 7-7 tie and post an 11-7 victory over Bucknell to clinch the 2017 Patriot League title at Fitton Field. The Crusaders swept the best two-out-of-three series from the Bison, while winning the Patriot League championship for the first time in school history.

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. Holy Cross responded in the top of the second with a two-run homer from senior Alex Voitik to tie the score at 2-2. An RBI single by senior Josh Hassell in the fourth inning and a solo home run by senior Anthony Critelli in the fifth then allowed the Crusaders to claim a 4-2 advantage. 

After the Bison trimmed the margin to 4-3 with a single run in the sixth, Holy Cross put three more runs on the board in the top of the seventh to go in front 7-3. Hassel delivered an RBI single in the inning, while senior Bill Schlich added a two-run double. But Bucknell came back with a solo home run by Clark in the eighth and a three-run homer by Brett Smith with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at 7-7 and force extra innings. 

After neither team scored in the 10th, the Crusaders loaded the bases in the top of the 11th before junior Cam O'Neill, junior Thomas Russo and Voitik all drew walks to make the score 10-7. Freshman Jared Enders was then hit by a pitch to bring home one more run, giving Holy Cross an 11-7 advantage. Senior George Capen closed out the game in the bottom of the 11th, ending the game by striking out Smith.

HIGHLIGHTS:

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 in seven innings pitched, while Mike Castellani allowed 10 hits and four runs on 6-1/3 innings pitched for Bucknell.
• Capen earned the win for Holy Cross allowing no runs on two hits in two innings pitched.
• Jeff Gottesman took the loss for Bucknell allowing four runs on two hits in 2-1/3 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 was named the Patriot League Tournament MVP.
• 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:

• Holy Cross earns its first bid to the NCAA Tournament since 1978. 
• The Crusaders will return to action in the regional round of the NCAA Tournament from June 2-5.
• The NCAA Tournament selection show is scheduled for Monday, May 29, at 12:00 p.m. on ESPN2.

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