NORFOLK, Va. – The Holy Cross softball team returned to the field on Saturday for the opening two games of their 11 contest spring break slate falling twice to nonconference opponent Norfolk State, 2-0 and FDU 1-0 Saturday at the NSU Softball Field.

The losses move the Crusaders to 0-4 in the early stages of the season while the Spartans pick up their first win and the Knights move to 5-6.

Senior Claire McCann continued her hot start to the season going 3-for-6 with a double during both games. McCann is 5-for-11 with three triples over the opening four tilts.  

Sophomore Anna Brait's reached base streak came to an end at 17 games following the conclusion of game two Saturday.
 
GAME ONE: SPARTANS 2, CRUSADERS 0 (FINAL)
 
STARTING IN THE CIRCLE:

• Brierra Tyler: ND, 3.0 innings pitched, two hits allowed, two strikeouts, walk.  
• Sophomore Sophia Roncone: L, (0-2), 2.1 innings pitched, four hits allowed two runs - one earned five strikeouts.

IN RELIEF:

• Freshman Maya Gallagher: 3.2 innings pitched, one strikeout.

STEPPING TO THE PLATE:

• Rylie Gilbreath: 1-for-3, home run, RBI, run scored.
• Loren Hudson: 1-for-3, RBI.
• Claire McCann: 2-for-3, double.
• Senior Jessica Mott: 1-for-3, double.
• Senior Morgan Jensen: 1-for-3.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• In the home half of the first, a Spartan walk and stolen bases was followed by an RBI single to center to break the scoring at 1-0.
• Norfolk State added insurance with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the third frame.
• In the seventh, McCann swatted a double and the runner moved to third base on a groundout. Holy Cross drew a walk putting runners at the corners, but they could not plate a run.

 
GAME TWO: KNIGHTS 2, CRUSADERS 1 (FINAL):
 
STARTING IN THE CIRCLE:

• Brooklyn Shroyer: W, (5-2), complete game, shutout, three hits allowed, two walks, 11 strikeouts.
• Megan Yurchick: L, (0-2) 6.0 innings pitched, five hits allowed, earned run, three walks.  

STEPPING TO THE PLATE:

• Ayden Stone: 1-for3, walk-off solo home run.
• Erika Barella: 1-for-3.
• Sophomore Ali Sniegocki: 1-for-3.
• Claire McCann: 1-for-3.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Holy Cross mustered only three hits in the game with one coming via Megan Yurchick in the first frame, one off the bat of Sniegocki in the third inning and from McCann in the top of the fourth.
• FDU's Stone bashed a walk-off home run in the to left field in bottom of the seventh.

 
DUE UP:

• The Crusaders remain on the road for the second day of the Norfolk State-Hampton Classic tomorrow against Central Connecticut (8-1) and Hampton (4-11).
• First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m.

 
FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
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