WORCESTER, Mass. — The Holy Cross baseball team swept a Patriot League doubleheader on Saturday against Navy winning 7-1 during game one and 15-5 in game two.
 
Holy Cross (17-19, 8-5 PL) had the power bats working as they amassed 12 extra base hits across the two games against previously first place Navy's (20-15, 10-7 PL) pitching staff. The Crusaders moved to 7-0 on Fitton Field this season and have won nine straight home games dating back to April 25, 2023 versus Dartmouth. They also bettered their 2023 overall and conference win total with the twinbill victories as well as last year's team home run mark.
 
GAME ONE
Holy Cross 7, Navy 1
 
STATS LEADERS: 
Holy Cross (16-19, 7-5, PL)
Connors (2-for-3, two runs scored, three RBI, home run, walk)
Jones (1-for-3, run scored, triple, two RBI)
King (1-for-2, sacrifice fly, RBI, run scored, stolen base)
Sandell (2-for-4, double)
A. Bryant (complete game, one runs, four hits, two walks, nine strikeouts)
 
Navy (20-14, 10-6 PL)
Raba (2-for-3, double, two steals)
Diaz (1-for-3, double, RBI)
 
THE DECISION:
W: Bryant (3-1) 
L: Grenn (4-2)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• In the first, senior Alex Bryant picked off a Navy runner at second base for the second out of the inning. He then struck out the last batter to end the frame.
• During the top of the second, Bryant notched his fourth strikeout in the early going and freshman Gianni Royer made a full extension grab in center for the third out of the inning.
• Holy Cross put a runner in scoring position with one out as junior Jimmy King worked a walk and immediately stole second base. King came across to score on an error as the Crusaders led 1-0.
• A three run bottom of the third for the Crusaders added to their edge. Junior Brendan Jones tripled into the right center field gap for the 3-0 Holy Cross lead. King added another run via a sacrifice fly to increase the margin to 4-0.
• With two outs in the fourth and a full count, freshman Braden Connors demolished a pitch to deep center which expanded the Crusader advantage to 7-0.

GAME TWO 
Holy Cross 15, Navy 5 (7 inn.)
 
STATS LEADERS: 
Holy Cross (17-19, 8-5, PL)
Baillargeon (3-for-3, two doubles, home run, three RBI, two runs scored, walk)
King (2-for-3, home run, three RBI, three runs scored, walk)
Sandell (2-for-3, double, triple, two RBI, three runs scored, walk)
LaFleur (1-for-3, home run, two RBI, two runs scored, two walks.)
 
Navy (20-15, 10-7 PL)
Keller (2-for-4, two RBI)
Manning (1-for-3, home run, two RBI, run scored)
 
THE DECISION:
W: Macchiarola (4-3) 
L: Bendik (5-2)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Holy Cross produced a six spot in the home half of the second. A pair of two-run homers by freshman John LaFleur and King made it 4-0. An RBI double off the swing of junior Chris Baillargeon with an freshman Alex Sandell sacrifice fly increased the score to 6-0.
• Another sacrifice fly, this time by Baillargeon built up the margin to 7-0 in favor of Holy Cross.
• Navy cracked the scoring column in the top of the fourth with a two-out RBI single to trail 7-1.
• An opposite field flare out to right field resulted in another run for the guests pulling them within five, 7-2.
• The sixth extra base hit of the game and the third sacrifice fly made it 9-2 Holy Cross in the fifth. Two doubles in the sixth via Sandell and Jones pushed the hosts ahead 11-2.
• A Navy two-run tater trimmed the deficit to 11-5.
• Four Crusader runs in the seventh including LaFleur scoring on a wild pitch completed the victory.

DUE UP: 

• The Crusaders and Midshipmen wrap up the three game set on Sunday, April 14.
• First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. 

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