ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Holy Cross baseball team fell in Games 2 and 3 of a best-of-three Patriot League semifinal matchup against Navy on Sunday, May 12. 

The Crusaders (26-27) conclude their season, while the Midshipmen (28-21) advance to face the winner of the series between Army West Point and Bucknell.

GAME ONE
Navy 7, Holy Cross 3

STATS LEADERS: 
Holy Cross 
LaFleur (2-for-4, RBI)
Royer (1-for-3, double, two runs scored, HBP, stolen base)
Baillargeon (three walks, RBI)
Jones (double, HBP, stolen base)

Navy 
Manning (2-for-3, triple, three RBI, run scored)
Raba (2-for-4, double, RBI)
Bendik (W, 8.0 IP, three runs, five hits, five strikeouts)

THE DECISION: 
W: Bendik (6-3) 
L: Macchiarola (6-5) 
S: Kruer (8)

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• For the second consecutive day, Navy scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning to hold a 5-0 advantage early. 
• Freshman designated hitter Gianni Royer led off the top of the second with a double, and after stealing third, he scored on an RBI groundout.  
• Back-to-back singles up the middle by the Midshipmen tacked on two more runs in the third, giving Navy a 7-1 edge. 
• That lead held for Navy until the ninth inning, when back-to-back bases-loaded walks helped Holy Cross cut within 7-3, but Holy Cross was unable to rally further. 

GAME TWO
Navy 6, Holy Cross 2

STATS LEADERS: 
Holy Cross 
Cooney (2-for-3, HBP, run scored)
Coughlin (1-for-2, two RBI)
King (double, HBP, run scored)
Harnisch (3.2 IP, one run, three hits, two strikeouts)

Navy 
Shirah (W, 5.0 IP, one run, two hits, six strikeouts)
Izquierdo (2-for-4, double, three RBI)
Raba (2-for-4, double, run scored)
Diaz (2-for-5, RBI, two runs scored) 

THE DECISION: 
W: Shirah (3-4) 
L: Wywoda (4-5) 
S: Kruer (9)

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• After two and a half scoreless innings, a sacrifice bunt and pair of RBI singles gave Navy a 3-0 edge in the bottom of the third inning. 
• Junior center fielder Connor Cooney was hit by a pitch to lead off the fifth, and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. He then scored on a single to left field by freshman catcher Van Coughlin, bringing Holy Cross within 3-1. 
• Navy responded immediately with a two-run double in the bottom of the fifth to extend their advantage to 5-1. 
• A sac fly helped Holy Cross cut within 5-2 in the seventh. 
• Back-to-back doubles scored another run to give Navy a 6-2 lead in the bottom of the eighth. 
• Junior shortstop Jimmy King doubled for Holy Cross with one out in the ninth, but Navy closer Landon Kruer struck out the Crusaders' final two batters to earn his second save of the day. 

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
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