WORCESTER, Mass. — Junior right-handed pitcher Luke Fox had two stellar performances out of the bullpen as the Holy Cross baseball team earned a pair of crucial Patriot League wins over Lafayette on Saturday, May 7 at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field.

Fox totaled 6.1 shutout innings over the two contests, picking up a win and a save while conceding just two hits and striking out six.

Freshman second baseman Connor Peek went 4-for-6 with four RBI over the two games.

GAME ONE:
Holy Cross 4, Lafayette 2

STATS LEADERS:
Holy Cross:
Peek (2-for-2, RBI)
Jones (1-for-2, run scored)
DiLauro (W, 4.2 IP, two runs, four hits, five strikeouts)
Fox (S, 2.1 IP, no runs, one hit, two strikeouts)

Lafayette:
Grech (home run)

W: DiLauro (1-6)
L: Benneche (1-10)
S: Fox (2)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Justin Grech led off the top of the first with a solo home run to give the Leopards an early advantage.
• Third baseman Brendan Jones drew a walk to lead off the bottom of the first, and advanced to third on an error and a groundout. He would then score on an RBI groundout to make it a 1-1 game.
• Senior catcher Angelo D'Acunto secured a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the fourth to break the tie; freshman second baseman Connor Peek then singled through the left side to give the Crusaders a 3-1 advantage.
• The Leopards got a run back in the top of the fifth on an RBI groundout. Lafayette had a pair of runners on the corners with two out when Fox entered in relief, but Fox drew a popup to end the threat.
• Freshman left fielder Connor Cooney walked with one out in the sixth, and advanced to third after a steal and a throwing error. Cooney picked up an insurance run for Holy Cross, scoring on a fielder's choice to make it a 4-2 game.
• Fox drew a lineout to lead off the seventh inning, and struck out Lafayette's final two batters to preserve the win.

GAME TWO:
Holy Cross 5, Lafayette 2

STATS LEADERS:
Holy Cross:
Peek (2-for-4, double, three RBI)
McElroy (2-for-4, double, two runs scored)
Mudd (2-for-4, double, two runs scored)
Chudy (5.0 IP, no earned runs, four hits, four strikeouts)
Fox (W, 4.0 IP, no runs, one hit, four strikeouts)

Lafayette:
Minghini (1-for-3, double)
Dorighi (1-for-4, RBI)
Yoder (2.2 IP, no runs, one hit, three strikeouts)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After three scoreless innings, Holy Cross broke through in the bottom of the fourth. The Crusaders loaded up the bases with a single by sophomore right fielder Jake McElroy, a double by freshman center fielder Tyler Mudd and a walk by D'Acunto. Mudd and McElroy scored after Peek ripped a single through the left side to make it a 2-0 game.
• Lafayette quickly knotted things up at 2-2 with a pair of unearned runs in the fifth.
• The Leopards loaded up the bases in the top of the sixth, but Fox ended the threat with a swinging strikeout.
• McElroy led off the sixth with a double and moved up to third after a bunt single by Mudd. McElroy scored on a throwing error by Lafayette, and Peek hit a double over the head of the Lafayette left fielder to score one more run for a 4-2 lead. Peek would then score on a single from sophomore shortstop Sam Kirkpatrick, extending the lead to 5-2.
• Fox did not allow a single Lafayette baserunner over the final three frames to pick up the victory.

DUE UP:

• Holy Cross hosts Lehigh to round out the regular season on Sunday, May 8. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
• Lehigh sits in third place in the Patriot League standings, with an 11-12 conference record. Holy Cross (10-13) is tied with Lafayette (10-13) and Navy (10-15) with 10 wins on the year.
• Prior to the contest, the Crusaders will honor the three members of their senior class: first baseman Nate Wolf, D'Acunto and right-handed pitcher Nick Escoto.

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