KEY RETURNERS
The Crusaders return four 2024 All-Patriot League honorees: junior starting pitcher Danny Macchiarola, senior first baseman Chris Baillargeon, senior shortstop Jimmy King, and sophomore catcher Colin Brown,
Macchiarola, a four-pitch right-handed pitcher, leads the rotation for the Crusaders armed with a 90-93 MPH fastball and wipe-out slider that induces plenty of swings and misses. He finished 2024 with a 6-5 record across 13 starts, with a 5.74 ERA and 67 strikeouts over 69.0 innings pitched.
Baillargeon, a line drive gap-to-gap hitter, has a career .280 average for the Crusaders. In 2024, he hit .264 with six home runs and 32 RBI to go with a .448 on-base percentage. He set the program record for walks in a single season (49) and is tied for 10th all-time in career fielding percentage (.990).
King returns to the fold and brings his good barrel skills, solid glove at shortstop and plus speed as evidenced by his 21 stolen bases in 2024 which led the team, ranked second in the Patriot League and also ranks second on the program’s single-season list.
Brown returns his strong chemistry with the pitching staff, plate discipline and contact skills. Last season, he hit .279 with a team-leading 11 doubles and 16 walks, striking out just 22 times. He reached base at a .418 clip.
Also returning to the squad following an injury-marred 2024 is speedy junior outfielder CJ Egrie who hit .348 and stole two bases across eight games for the Crusaders. Senior right-handed pitcher Luke LeMond will pitch high-leverage innings in the back end of games for Holy Cross. LeMond had a 3.52 ERA and 25 strikeouts across 30.2 innings with a team-high four saves which ranked fourth in the conference.
