WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross softball team split a pair of games with Bucknell on the opening day of the team's four-game Patriot League series. The Crusaders fell in game one, 2-1, but bounced back for a 2-0 victory in game two.

Kelly Nelson threw her second consecutive complete game shutout in game two as she went the full seven innings, while giving up just three hits, one walk, zero runs, and striking out 14. Megan Yurchick drew the start in game one and had an impressive outing herself. While she didn't get the win, the freshman went the full seven innings, giving up four hits and four walks, two runs, and striking out five.

Erin Bengston led the way at the plate as the junior went 3-for-6 with a double and two RBI. Bella Jankowski and Yurchick each had two hits on the day and Yurchick also picked up an RBI. Bailey Bates and Kari Jacobson each scored a run and Olivia Eckelman had her first double of the year.

GAME 1: BUCKNELL 2, HC 1
The Cruasders would leave a runner in scoring position in each of the first two innings. In the first, Bailey Chavez singled, advanced on a wild pitch, and stole a base to make it to third, but she was stranded there. In the second, Yurchick singled and was moved over to second on an Eckelman sac bunt, but was also left on base.

Holy Cross turned three double plays through the first five innings, two of which went 1-6-3. Also through five innings, Yurchick had only given up one hit.

The Bison would plate two in the top of the sixth when they doubled to start the inning. After a walk and a strikeout, Bucknell had runners on second and third with two outs. Zoie Smith singled through the right side to drive home both baserunners.

Yurchick recorded three strikeouts in the top of the seventh to keep the deficit at two. In the bottom half, she helped herself out when she doubled with one out to drive home Morgan Jensen, who pinch ran for Bengston after the catcher singled. Alyssa Gutierrez came on to pinch run for Yurchick, but could get no farther than third base as Bucknell got a groundout and a pop out for the win.

GAME 2: HC 2, BUCKNELL 0
As has become the norm for the junior pitcher, Nelson got all three outs in the first inning, and five of the first six, by way of strikeout. Through five innings, she had 11 Ks as she struck out at least two in each of the first five frames.

She did not record a strikeout in the sixth, but kept the Bison off the board nonetheless with three pop outs. The bottom of the sixth was where the Crusaders would do their damage.

Jacobson led the inning off with a walk and advanced to second on a Chavez sac bunt. After Bates singled to right, the Crusaders had runners on first and third with only one out. With two outs and two strikes, Bengston doubled just over the left fielder's outstretched glove to drive both Jacobson and Bates home.

Nelson ended the game in the top of the seventh with three more strikeouts.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• The win today marks the first time in her career that Nelson has thrown complete game shutouts in consecutive starts. Today's shutout also gives her three on the year which equals her total from freshman year.
• Bengston's double was her team-leading fifth of the season.
• Today's win was Holy Cross' first over Bucknell since 2017.

ON DECK:
The Crusaders will take on Bucknell in a doubleheader again tomorrow, Sunday, April 4, beginning at 12:30 p.m.