MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – The Holy Cross softball team traveled to South Carolina for their season-opening games at the Charlestown Invitational and lost both contests, a 6-1 decision to Lipscomb and a 3-2 eight inning loss to Binghamton.

The two losses send the Crusaders to 0-2 in the early going while the Bison (1-4) pick up their first win and the Bearcats move to 4-2 overall.
 
GAME ONE: BISON 6, CRUSADERS 1 (FINAL)

IN THE CIRCLE:

• Makayla Veneziale: W (1-2), 7.0 innings, complete game, six strikeouts, five hits, zero earned runs.
• Senior Kelly Nelson: L (0-1), 3.0 innings, six strikeouts, three runs – two earned, five hits.

IN THE BATTER'S BOX:

• Maci Cunconan: 3-for-4, triple, RBI, two runs scored.
• Katelyn Belding: 3-for-3, double, RBI, walk.
• Sophomore Jessica Mott: 2-for-3, double.
• Junior Olivia Eckelman: 1-for-4, run scored, stolen base.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Lipscomb took the lead 1-0 in the top of the first as Cunconan and Katelyn Belding pulled back-to-back singles to right field and Belding plated Cunconan off a throwing error.
• In the top of the third, Cunconan tripled to left for an RBI then Belding pushed her teammate home for the 3-0 margin.
• Holy Cross cut the deficit to two, 3-1 in the home half of the inning via an unearned run.
• The Bison tacked on three insurance runs in the fifth and sixth to finish off the Crusaders.

 
GAME TWO: BEARCATS 3, CRUSADERS 2 (FINAL – 8 INN.)

IN THE CIRCLE:

• Allison L'Amoreaux: W (3-1), 8.0 innings, six strikeouts, three walks, six hits, two earned runs.
• Kelly Nelson: L (0-2), 7.2 innings, nine strikeouts, three runs – two earned, four hits.

IN THE BATTER'S BOX:

• Sophia Pappas: 2-for-3, two home runs, two RBI.
• Alli Richmond:  2-for-3, double.
• Senior Erin Bengston: 1-for-3, home run, RBI, walk.
• Junior Bailey Bates: 1-for-4, RBI.
• Jessica Mott: 1-for-2, double, walk.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• During the opening inning, Bengston belted her first homer of the season on a hitter's count to left center field as Holy Cross led 1-0 early.
• Bates increased the margin to 2-0 in the third roping a single to center scoring pinch runner, freshman Jena Whipple.
• The Bearcats would get to Nelson with Pappas hitting a solo homer in the fourth to bring it to a 2-1 game.
• Holy Cross had a chance for a crucial insurance run in the seventh as Mott led off the inning smacking a two-bagger and advanced to third on a wild pitch. However, she couldn't cross the plate.
• With one out during the bottom of the seventh, Pappas hit her second round tripper of the game to deadlock the contest 2-2.
• A runner was placed on second in the eighth. Bates reached base on a dropped fly ball and the runner moved to third. Runners were at the corners and with one away, the bases were juiced, but the Crusaders flew into a double play to end the inning.
• Binghamton completed the comeback getting a sacrifice fly with one away in the eighth.

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross plays two tomorrow with the host College of Charleston at 2:30 p.m. and Valparaiso at 7:30 p.m.