SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Holy Cross softball team ended their trip to the Spartan Classic with a 9-3 loss to host USC Upstate Sunday afternoon at Cyrill Stadium.

The defeat sends the Crusaders to 2-2 through their opening weekend while the Spartans remain undefeated at 6-0.
 
STARTING IN THE CIRCLE:

• Alyssa Kelly: W (3-0), 4.0 innings pitched, four hits allowed, three earned runs, three walks, three strikeouts.
• Junior Megan Yurchick: L (1-1): 4.2 innings pitched, eight earned runs, two walks, strikeout.

 
IN RELIEF:

• Maddie Drerup: 3.0 innings pitched, three hits allowed, five strikeouts.  
• Senior Peyton Morehouse: 0.1 innings pitched, two hits allowed, one earned run.
• Freshman Sophia Roncone: 1.0 innings pitched, strikeout.

 
STEPPING TO THE PLATE:

• Denver Lauer: 3-for-3, home run, double, three RBI, two runs scored, stolen base.
• Peyton Darnell: 2-for-2, run scored, RBI, walk.
• Alanna Deal: 1-for-3, home run, RBI, run scored.
• Freshman Anna Brait: 2-for-4.
• Junior Morgan Jensen: 2-for-3.
• Junior Jessica Mott: 1-for-4, RBI.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Upstate scored in the bottom of the second with two outs as two infield singles resulted in a run and a 1-0 lead. The hosts were active on the base paths and stole second base. The ensuing batter, drilled an RBI single to center for the 2-0 lead.
• Holy Cross pulled within a run in the top of the third as Mott singled up the middle with two away knocking home freshman pinch runner Abbie Gold.
• The Spartans earned that run back in the bottom of the third when an RBI single by Darnell regained the two run advantage at 3-1.
• Singles by Yurchick and junior Claire McCann coupled with a walk by freshman Ali Sniegocki loaded the bases for Holy Cross with no outs. A sophomore Jena Whipple RBI groundout made it 3-2. The bases were reloaded for Mott and Sniegocki came home via a wild pitch to level the score 3-3.
• Upstate jumped back ahead 4-3 thanks to a solo homer off the bat of Lauer and added four insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth to jump ahead 8-3.
• Deal drilled a home run in the bottom of the sixth to make it 9-3.

 
DUE UP:

• The Crusaders travel to the Commonwealth of Virginia to battle George Mason for a three game series next weekend starting on Saturday, Feb. 25 at noon.

 
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