EASTON, Pa. – The Holy Cross baseball team came up short in both games of a doubleheader with Lafayette on Sunday, March 21.

After being shut out in the first game, 4-0, Holy Cross (0-4, 0-3 Patriot League) nearly rallied back from a 10-0 deficit in Game 2, scoring seven unanswered runs between the sixth and eighth innings, but ultimately fell in an 11-9 result to the Leopards (4-1, 3-0 Patriot League).

GAME ONE
Lafayette 4, Holy Cross 0

Stat Leaders:
Holy Cross:

• Keough (1.0 IP, one hit, two strikeouts)

Lafayette:

• Bloss (5.2 IP, no hits, six strikeouts)
• Ciuffreda (1-for-2, double, RBI)
• Minghini (1-for-4, home run, two RBI)

W: Bloss (1-0)
L: Dawson (0-1)
S: Morr (1)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Crusaders did not record a hit during the contest, and could not capitalize on four errors by the Leopards, including back-to-back errors with one out in the top of the first inning.
• Lafayette got on the board first in the bottom of the third after an RBI double and a two-run homer, giving the Leopards a 3-0 lead.
• The Leopards tacked on another run in the fifth inning.
• In the top of the sixth, an error and a walk put sophomore designated hitter Jordan Petrushka and senior shortstop Cam Meyer on first and second. Lafayette brought in pitcher Nolan Morr, who drew a pop up to end the threat.

GAME TWO
Lafayette 11, Holy Cross 9

Stat Leaders:
Holy Cross:

• Dudunakis (2-for-3, two runs scored, three walks, RBI)
• McElroy (1-for-2, two RBI)
• Meyer (1-for-3, run scored, three walks, two RBI)
• Wolf (1-for-4, double, run scored)
• Casserly (1-for-5, double)

Lafayette:

• Grech (2-for-3, four RBI)
• Chmielewski (2-for-3, triple, four runs scored, RBI)

W: Subers (1-0)
L: Crotty (0-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Lafayette built a 10-0 lead before the Crusaders got on the board in the top of the sixth. Senior right fielder Peter Dudunakis singled, freshman left fielder Pat Casserly doubled and Meyer walked to load the bases; sophomore second baseman Max Power hit a sac fly to bring a run across.
• In the seventh, the Crusaders put runners on first and second after senior designated hitter Evan Blum walked and Dudunakis singled. Meyer had an RBI single to bring another run across, and freshman Jake McElroy followed with a pinch-hit single to score a pair of runs and make it a 10-4 game.
• Power scored on a wild pitch to tack on another run in the seventh and bring Holy Cross within 10-5.
• Holy Cross again loaded the bases in the top of the eighth after junior catcher Angelo D'Acunto singled, Dudunakis walked and Casserly was hit by a pitch. D'Acunto and Dudunakis would then score on subsequent wild pitches, bringing the Crusaders within 10-7.
• The Leopards added another run in the bottom of the eighth.
• Holy Cross continued to rally in the top of the ninth, loading up the bases with one out after sophomore center fielder Ben Dellacono and junior first baseman Nate Wolf walked and Blum was hit by a pitch.
• Dudunakis walked in a run to make it an 11-8 game, and Meyer walked in another run to bring Holy Cross within two, but the Crusaders were unable to cut any closer.

DUE UP:

• The Crusaders will play their home opener on Wednesday, March 24 against UMass.
• First pitch at Fitton Field is set for 5 p.m.