MISSOLUA, Mont. – The Holy Cross softball team ended their spring break trip Saturday dropping a 5-4 decision to nonconference opponent NIU at the Grizzly Softball Field.

The setback sends the Crusaders to 4-9 overall on the year while the Huskies improve to 5-12.

As a team, the Crusaders hit .335 in Montana amassing 29 hits, 13 doubles and four home runs. Sophomore Ali Sniegocki extended her hitting streak to eight games in Big Sky Country slashing .450/.450/.700 (9-for-20) with a home run, two doubles, four RBI, a stolen base and five runs scored. Senior Megan Yurchick hit .545 with a double and four RBI as well.
 
STARTING IN THE CIRCLE:

• Sophomore Sophia Roncone: ND, 6.0 innings pitched, five hits allowed, four earned runs, five walks, three strikeouts.  
• Madison Carlson: W, (1-1), complete game, eight hits allowed, four earned runs, walk, three strikeouts.

IN RELIEF:

• Megan Yurchick: L (2-4), 0.1 innings pitched, three hits allowed, earned run, one strikeout.

STEPPING TO THE PLATE:

• Freshman Ava Gambichler: 3-for-4, RBI, run scored.
• Senior Claire McCann: 2-for-3.
• Megan Yurchick: 1-for-3, two RBI.
• Katy Ramage: 2-for-3, triple, walk, RBI, two runs scored.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Holy Cross struck fast in the top of the first when Yurchick drilled a two RBI single up the middle for the early 2-0 lead.
• The Crusaders loaded the bases in the second and a Gambichler single to right added onto the margin at 4-0 through two frames.
• In the home half of the third, NIU put a pair of runners in scoring position with two down and Roncone struck out a batter for the third out and to keep the Huskies scoreless.
• A sacrifice fly RBI got the Huskies on the board in the fourth frame.
• NIU got two runs in the bottom of the sixth to trim the deficit to one, 4-3.
• In the bottom of the seventh, a lead-off walk coupled with an infield single and double to right center field leveled the score at 4-4 and kept two runners in scoring position with two outs. Holy Cross induced a strikeout, however and infield bunt single walked off the game for NIU.

DUE UP:

• The Crusaders return to the northeast and will battle regional opponent Brown (3-6).
• First pitch for the nonconference doubleheader is slated for 2:30 p.m.

 
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