BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Holy Cross softball team put their three game winning streak on the line and suffered two Patriot League defeats to Lehigh, losing 4-1 in game one before dropping a 5-3 decision in game two Saturday afternoon.

During the game two defeat, the Crusaders (11-22, 3-5 PL) matched a season-high with 13 hits (at Hartford, 4/5). Senior Erin Bengston had her first three hit game of the season in game two while sophomore Claire McCann's three hit effort was her second over the last three games. Lehigh improves to 15-12, 6-0 PL with the two wins.
 
GAME ONE: MOUNTAIN HAWKS 4, CRUSADERS 1 (FINAL):

IN THE CIRCLE:

• Gabriella Nori: W (7-6), complete game, six strikeouts, five hits allowed, one earned run.
• Senior Kelly Nelson: L (8-12), complete game, 10 strikeouts, five hits allowed, three walks, three earned runs.

STEPPING TO THE PLATE:

• Addie Kittel: 1-for-3, home run, two RBI, run scored.
• Carley Barjaktarovich: 1-for-3, run scored, stolen base.
• Emily Cimino: 1-for-4, RBI.
• Sophomore Claire McCann: 1-for-3, RBI.
• Sophomore Megan Yurchick: 1-for-3.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Crusaders struck first in the top of the second with three consecutive singles. Yurchick singled up the middle followed by senior Erin Bengston who singled to center. McCann followed and on the 12th pitch of the at-bat slapped an opposite field single into right plating pinch runner Jena Whipple. Holy Cross had a second and third situation with one out, but the final two batters struck out to end the scoring threat.
• Lehigh immediately evened the margin, 1-1 in the bottom of the second as a fielding error with two down allowed the tying run to score.
• Kittel and the Mountain Hawks had some more two out production as she homered on a 2-0 hitter's count down the left field line to make it a 3-1 game in the home half of the fourth.
• In the fifth, Barjaktarovich walked, stole second, and dashed home on a Cimino RBI single for some insurance for the hosts.

 
GAME TWO: MOUNTAIN HAWKS 5, CRUSADERS 3 (FINAL):

IN THE CIRCLE:

• Katelyn Young: W (7-5), 4.1 innings, 11 hits allowed, three walks, one strikeout, three earned runs.
• Megan Yurchick: L (3-10), 5.0 innings, nine hits allowed, four earned runs, one strikeout.
•  Gabriella Nori: S (2), 2.2 innings, two hits allowed, three strikeouts, one walk.

STEPPING TO THE PLATE:

• Emily Cimino: 3-for-4, double, two runs scored.
• Jaelynn Chesson: 3-for-4, run scored.
• Amanda Greaney: 1-for-3, double, two RBI.
• Erin Bengston: 3-for-4, two RBI, run scored.
• Claire McCann: 3-for-4.
• Junior Bailey Bates: 2-for-3.
• Freshman Callie Thibault: 1-for-2, RBI, two walks.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• In the first, some timely two out hitting from the Crusaders and Bengston produced two runs as she went the opposite way for a single making it 2-0. With the bases juiced, Thibault worked a six pitch walk and earned an RBI to increase the score to 3-0.
• Lehigh stormed back in the bottom half of the inning producing four runs to lead 4-3 with Greaney doubling to clear the bases and more importantly give her squad the advantage.
• During the top of the third, Holy Cross loaded the bases via three consecutive singles off the bat of Megan Yurchick, Bengston, and McCann. A fielder's choice and double play later got the Mountain Hawks out of the frame.
• The fourth saw the home team tack on an insurance tally off a Crusader throwing error to grow the score to 5-3.
• In their last at-bats, the Crusaders loaded the bases with one out, but could not advance any runs across the plate.

DUE UP:

• Holy Cross is back in action tomorrow for the final game of the series at noon.

 
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