WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — The Holy Cross baseball team defeated William & Mary, 4-2, in the teams' season opener on Friday, Feb. 16 at Plumeri Park.

STATS LEADERS: 
Holy Cross (1-0)
Macchiarola (W, 5.0 IP, one run, three hits, one walk, one strikeout)
Wywoda (S, 4.0 IP, one run, five hits, no walks, one strikeout)
Sandell (2-for-4, RBI, two runs scored, two stolen bases)
C. Brown (1-for-4, two RBI)
C. Bryant (double, one run scored)

William & Mary (0-1) 
Knowles (3.0 IP, two hits, no runs, eight strikeouts)
Delossantos (2-for-4, home run)
Carmichael (2-for-4, double)

THE DECISION: 
W: Macchiarola (1-0)
L: Lovasz (0-1)
S: Wywoda (1)

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• After three scoreless innings, Holy Cross broke through first offensively in the top of the fourth. Sophomore third baseman Cam Bryant hit a one-out double down the right-field line, and came around to score after freshman second baseman Alex Sandell singled to left. After rookie center fielder Gianni Royer drew a walk, freshman catcher Colin Brown's single pushed two runs across and gave the Crusaders a 3-0 lead. 
• The Tribe got a run back in the bottom half of the fourth, with a solo homer from left fielder Joe Delossantos; that was the only run conceded by sophomore starter Danny Macchiarola in the contest.
• William & Mary attempted to mount a comeback in the bottom of the eighth, scraping a run across after three straight one-out singles to bring the Tribe within 3-2. Sophomore reliever Wywoda managed to work his way out of the two-on, one-out jam, drawing back-to-back flyouts. 
• Leading off in the top of the ninth, Sandell reached on an error by the shortstop and advanced to second after a sacrifice bunt. He came around to score after junior left fielder Connor Cooney drove in the insurance run with a two-out single to right.
• Wywoda threw a 1-2-3 ninth inning to close out the Crusader victory.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Sandell and Brown recorded their first career hits in their collegiate debuts. 
• Macchiarola posted his first career win on the mound, while Wywoda's save was the first of his collegiate career. 
• The Crusaders recorded their first opening day win since the 2018 season. 

DUE UP: 

• Holy Cross will face William & Mary again on Saturday, Feb. 17. 
• First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
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Twitter - @HCrossBaseball | @goholycross
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