NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Holy Cross softball team won their fourth contest of their last five games, a 6-3 win against non-conference opponent Merrimack Tuesday afternoon at Martone-Mejail Field. The second game of the doubleheader was cancelled due to incoming weather.

Fresh off being named the Patriot League Pitcher of the Week, senior Kelly Nelson twirled five innings for the Crusaders (17-28) allowing three earned runs while striking out eight Warriors (8-24). The eight punch outs give Nelson 573 in her career as she needs only seven more to become the program's all-time leader. Sophomore Megan Yurchick came on in relief and picked up her first career save tossing two perfect frames.

Five Crusaders recorded multiple hit efforts including senior Bailey Chavez who extended her hitting streak to six games going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Chavez's batting average has jumped from .204 to .248 during the hitting binge.

Sophomore Jessica Mott tallied two hits, a double and two RBI giving her 50 base knocks on the year. Senior Jessie Nagel bashed a solo homer to go with two RBI as well.

Jessie Nagel gives this one a ride the opposite way for the solo homer!

Game is tied 1-1!#GoCrossGo pic.twitter.com/Z7Bb4lN57b
— Holy Cross Softball (@HCrossSB) April 26, 2022
 

 
GAME ONE: CRUSADERS 6, WARRIORS 3 (FINAL):

IN THE CIRCLE:

• Senior Kelly Nelson: W (12-15), 5.0 innings, three earned runs, eight strikeouts, one walk, seven hits allowed.
• Bry Michitson L (3-9), 5.1 innings, six earned runs, three strikeouts, three walks, nine hits allowed
• Sophomore Megan Yurchick: S (1), 2.0 innings, two strikeouts.

STEPPING TO THE PLATE:

• Sophomore Jessica Mott: 2-for-4, double, two RBI.
• Senior Bailey Chavez: 2-for-4, run scored, RBI.
• Senior Jessie Nagel: 2-for-4, home run, two RBI, run scored.
• Junior Bailey Bates: 2-for-2, two runs scored, walk.
• Junior Kari Jacobson: 2-for-3, one run scored.
• Ellen Hubbard: 1-for-3, two RBI.
• Courtney Lanpher: 1-for-3, two runs scored, walk, two stolen bases.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Merrimack got on the board in the first when Lanpher walked, stole second, and came around to score on Jenna Wike's double to center that banged off the fence for the 1-0 edge.
• In the top of the second, Nagel knotted the contest belting an opposite field homer over the right centerfield fence.
• Nagel had a two out hit in the third inning, a single to left plating Chavez from second for the 2-1 Crusader lead.
• The Warriors tied the game in the third via an RBI groundout.
• Chavez added insurance with her second hit of the contest, an RBI single to left field putting the Crusaders ahead 4-2.
• Merrimack got a run back in the home half of the sixth on a single to center field by Hubbard to come within one run.
• Bates scored from second on a passed ball in the sixth and Mott doubled home a run to expand the lead to 6-3 for Holy Cross.

 
DUE UP:

• The Crusaders return home for their final seven games of the season starting Thursday against Sacred Heart at 3:00 p.m.

 
FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
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