WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross softball team erupted for six runs with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning for a 7-2 Sunday afternoon Patriot League win against Army West Point at Freshman Field.

The Crusaders (16-28, 5-10 PL) took the series, 2-1 against the Black Knights (18-27, 8-4 PL) with the victory. In the fourth, a crucial error kept the inning alive as the Crusaders batted around and six straight players recorded hits.

Made them pay in the fourth.#GoCrossGo pic.twitter.com/rY4ttHCBkF

— Holy Cross Softball (@HCrossSB) April 24, 2022

The one-two punch of leadoff hitter, sophomore Jessica Mott, and two hole hitter, senior Bailey Chavez combined to hit .521 (12-of-23) with three doubles, three RBI, a walk, and six runs scored in the series. As a team, the Crusaders hit .317 with 13 RBI, nine walks and five doubles.

Senior Kelly Nelson picked up two wins in both starts hurling complete games tallying a 1.00 ERA, a .200 batting average against, and 13 punchouts. Nelson is 15 strikeouts away from breaking the program's all-time strikeout mark of 579 (Genoa Grosch, 1996-99). The complete game on Sunday was the 45th in her collegiate career and it puts her third in the record books.
 
IN THE CIRCLE:

• Senior Kelly Nelson: W (11-15), complete game, nine strikeouts, five hits allowed, zero earned runs.
• Jolie Duong: L (9-9), 3.2 innings, nine hits allowed, seven runs – one earned run three strikeouts.

 
STEPPING TO THE PLATE:

• Bailey Chavez: 2-for-4, two doubles, three RBI, run scored.
• Junior Bailey Bates: 1-for-3, two RBI, run scored.
• Junior Kari Jacobson: 2-for-3, double, two runs scored.
• Senior Erin Bengston: 2-for-3, two RBI.
• Leila Hurst: 1-for-3, double, two RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• In the third with two outs a fielding error extended the frame for the Black Knights. After a couple of close pitches, Hurst drove a double into the right centerfield gap clearing the bases giving the guests a 2-0 margin.
• The Crusaders got one back in the home half of the third. Jacobson doubled into left field and with two down, Chavez went with the pitch and drove it the opposite way down the left field line to bring her teammate in.
• A big bottom of the fourth inning pushed Holy Cross in the lead. 10 batters came to the plate in the inning and the Crusaders mashed six straight hits with two away. A two out fielding error to try and gun down a speedy junior Olivia Eckelman kept the inning alive. The hosts made Army pay, with a Bates two run single to right center putting the team ahead 3-2. Chavez then pulled a double down the right field line scoring two more runs and Bengston cleared the bases for the 7-2 advantage.

 
DUE UP:

• Holy Cross embarks on their last road trip of the season when they battle Merrimack on Tuesday in North Andover at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.

 
FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross softball team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
Twitter - @HCrossSB | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrosssb | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Softball | Holy Cross Athletics
YouTube - GoHolyCross