WORCESTER, Mass. — Lifted by clutch pitching across the board and a three-run homer in the sixth inning by sophomore designated hitter Sean Scanlon, the Holy Cross baseball team defeated the University of Massachusetts, 4-3, in the Crusaders' home opener at Fitton Field on Tuesday, March 21.

STATS LEADERS: 
Holy Cross (6-14): 
Scanlon (1-for-3, home run, walk, three RBI, 1.0 IP, three strikeouts)
Egrie (2-for-3, walk)
McElroy (2-for-4, double, two runs scored)
Cooney (2-for-4, double, run scored)
Talbot (W, 2.0 IP, no runs, two strikeouts)

UMass (3-8): 
Luttazi (2-for-2, RBI)
Hoog (double, 2 RBI)
Given (1.0 IP, three strikeouts)

THE DECISION: 
W: Talbot (1-0)
L: Jensen (0-1)
S: Brown (1)

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• In the top of the second inning, UMass got a run across after a double and RBI single; the Minutemen had two runners on with just one out, but freshman pitcher Jaden Wywoda stranded both after the next two batters struck out looking. 
• Back-to-back doubles by junior third baseman Jake McElroy and sophomore center fielder Connor Cooney to lead off the bottom of the third evened up the score at 1-1.  
• The Minutemen had runners on second and third with just one out in the top of the sixth inning, but senior reliever Ben Talbot struck out the next two batters to get out of the jam.
• McElroy drew a walk in the bottom of the sixth and Cooney reached on a fielder's choice; Scanlon knocked a three-run homer in the next at-bat to put Holy Cross up 4-1.
• UMass got two runs back in the top of the eighth after a two-run pinch-hit double by Kyle Hoog. 
• Freshman reliever Oliver Brown stranded two UMass runners in the eighth inning, ending the frame with a strikeout. In the top of the ninth inning, the Minutemen put two runners on with a pair of walks, but Brown worked his way out of trouble again, ending the game with a called strikeout to secure the Holy Cross victory. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Talbot's win on the mound was the first in his Holy Cross tenure; Brown's save was the first of his career. 
• Scanlon hit his second homer of the year and became the third Crusader with multiple home runs on the year, joining senior Chris Benton and freshman Jack Toomey, who have three apiece. 
• Holy Cross has won its last three outings against UMass.  

DUE UP: 

• Holy Cross is set to begin Patriot League play on Friday, March 24, when it commences a four-game series against Army West Point. 
• First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Fitton Field. 

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