MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. – Holy Cross softball sophomore Jessica Mott delivered in the clutch ripping a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh as the Crusaders rallied for a 5-4 win early Sunday morning versus Niagara.

Holy Cross wrapped up their trip to Florida going 3-1 during "The Spring Games". It was their second win in a row moving the team to 5-10 overall on the campaign while the Purple Eagles drop to 2-4 with the loss.

The Crusaders trailed 3-0 after one and 4-1 through three frames before scoring two in the fourth, one in the fifth, and the game deciding run in the seventh. Mott was 3-for-5 at the dish tying a career-high with three RBI.
 
IN THE CIRCLE:

• Senior Kelly Nelson W (4-6), 7.0 innings, seven strikeouts, four earned runs, complete game.
• Cara Leone: L (0-1), 6.1 innings, 11 hits allowed, five runs – three earned, four walks, four strikeouts.

STEPPING TO THE PLATE:

• Mott: 3-for-5, three RBI.
• Sophomore Claire McCann: 2-for-4, double, run scored.
• Junior Bailey Bates: 1-for-3, two runs scored.
• Junior Peyton Morehouse: 2-for-2, two walks.
• Samantha Hare: 2-for-2, two home runs, four RBI, stolen base.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• In the top of the first, Maggie Vesneke singled and immediately stole second base. With one away, Hare ripped a homer clearing the bases putting the Purple Eagles ahead 3-0 in the early stages. Nelson was able to send the next two batters back to the dugout swinging to limit the damage.
• The Crusaders got one back in the home half of the second as Mott brought home Bates via a RBI groundout to short.
• Hare added an insurance run in the top of third with her second homer of the game making it a 4-1 contest.
• During the fourth, Holt Cross came within one as sophomore Megan Yurchick took one for the team and was hit by a pitch. Senior Erin Bengston singled to left field scoring classmate Bailey Chavez, but the game-tying run was gunned down at the plate. The Crusaders trailed 4-3 through four.
• McCann started action in the fifth with a leadoff double. With two away, Mott singled into the left centerfield gap scoring McCann to even the margin 4-4.
• The seventh began with two singles up the middle by Bates and junior Peyton Morehouse. Mott singled to right for the winning run.

DUE UP:

• The Crusaders remain on the road on Thursday when they take on Hartford in a Saint Patrick's Day doubleheader starting at 2:30 p.m.