SUGAR LAND, Texas — The Holy Cross baseball team opened the 2023 season with a 12-1 loss to Purdue on Friday, Feb. 17 at Constellation Field. 

Rookie catcher Lucas Manning impressed in his collegiate debut, recording a double and a triple on Opening Day. 

STATS LEADERS:
Holy Cross (0-1)
Manning (2-for-3, double, triple)
Bryant (2-for-4)
Peek (1-for-1, RBI)
Jones (double, run scored)

Purdue (1-0)
Toetz (3-for-5, two home runs, three RBI)
Stadler (1-for-3, home run, two RBI, two runs scored)
Stephen (5.0 IP, two hits, no runs, two strikeouts)

THE DECISION: 
W: Stephen (1-0)
L: Chudy (0-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• After two quick outs in the bottom of the first, second baseman Paul Toetz hammered a solo home run to right-center field, giving Purdue a 1-0 lead. 
• The Boilermakers used a four-run second inning to build a 5-0 lead. 
• Catcher Jake Stadler hit a solo home run in the fourth to make it 6-0, and the Boilermakers scored six more runs to build their lead to 12-0 by the eighth inning. 
• The Crusaders got a run back in the top of the ninth. Sophomore shortstop Brendan Jones led off the frame with a double, and later advanced to third on a passed ball; he scored on a single from second baseman Connor Peek to make it a 12-1 game. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: 

• Three Crusaders recorded their first career hit on Friday: Manning, freshman second baseman CJ Egrie and freshman third baseman Cam Bryant. 

DUE UP: 

• The Crusaders and Boilermakers will play a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 18. 
• First pitch at Constellation Field is set for 2 p.m. ET. 

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross baseball team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
Twitter - @HCrossBaseball | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrossbaseball | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Baseball | Holy Cross Athletics
YouTube - GoHolyCross