WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross softball team entered the sixth inning of a tie game and timely hitting in the late frames led to a 2-1 victory against nonconference opponent Merrimack Wednesday afternoon on Freshman Field.
The victory snapped an eight game skid for the Crusaders and moved them to 8-19 while Merrimack slid to 14-23 with the setback.
With one out in the home half of the sixth, senior
Megan Yurchick singled through the left side and was lifted for a pinch runner, sophomore
Abbie Gold. Gold stole second base and on the next pitch, classmate
Anna Brait bashed an RBI double to center to put the Crusaders ahead for good.
Sophomore starter
Sophia Roncone hurled a complete game scattering two hits, three walks while punching out seven batters to earn her third win of the campaign.
STARTING IN THE CIRCLE:
- Sophomore Sophia Roncone: W, (3-8), complete game, two hits allowed, earned run, three walks, seven strikeouts.
- Sofia Palyan: L, (3-3), complete game, three hits allowed, two earned runs, three walks, six strikeouts.
STEPPING TO THE PLATE:
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Two straight walks and a fielder's choice loaded the bases for the Crusaders with no outs. With one down, Thibault lofted a sacrifice RBI to right field for the early 1-0 lead.
- Two walks in the second inning put runners on first and second with two outs. Roncone struck out the final batter looking to end the scoring threat.
- Piertzak notched the Crusaders' first hit in the fifth rocketing a double to left center.
- Merrimack leveled the game on a 3-1 count in the top of the sixth via a solo homer to left field.
DUE UP:
- Holy Cross hits the road for a nonconference twinbill on Thursday, April 11 at Sacred Heart.
- First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m.
FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS
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