EASTON, Pa. – The Holy Cross baseball team scored four runs late in a comeback 6-5 seven inning victory versus Patriot League foe Lafayette on Sunday afternoon at Kamine Stadium. They split the twinbill and dropped a 9-6 decision in nine frames during game two.

The Crusaders (11-12, 3-1 PL) have recorded their best start in Patriot League play since 2015 when they captured four straight conference games en route to a 7-1 start. Lafayette's record moves to 4-19, 1-3 PL after both contests.

Holy Cross rallied in game one scoring three runs in the sixth and one in the seventh to complete the come from behind victory. In the seventh, sophomore Gianni Royer belted a sacrifice fly to deep right center field. Senior Sean Scanlon turned on the jets and scored from second base which was the game-winning run.

Senior Chris Baillargeon was the standout performer in both duels for the Crusaders going 4-for-6 (.667) with an RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base.

GAME ONE: HOLY CROSS 6, LAFAYETTE 5 (7 INN.)

STARTING ON THE MOUND:

• Junior Jaden Wywoda: W, (3-1), 6.0 innings pitched, six hits allowed, five earned runs, two walks, seven strikeouts.
• Trace Florio: ND, 6.0 innings pitched seven hits allowed, five earned runs, two walks, eight strikeouts.

OUT OF THE BULLPEN:

• Senior Luke LeMond: S, (1), 1.0 innings pitched, one hit allowed, one walk.
• Jeremiah Holder: L, (0-1), 1.0 innings pitched, one hit allowed, earned run.

STEPPING TO THE PLATE:

• Chris Baillargeon: 3-for-4, RBI, run scored.
• Gianni Royer: 2-for-3, double two RBI, run scored, stolen base
• Senior Connor Peek: 2-for-3, RBI.
• Junior CJ Egrie: 1-for-3, home run, RBI, walk, two runs scored, stolen base.
• Michael Zarillo: 2-for-3, RBI, run scored, stolen base.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Egrie belted the second pitch he saw over the left field fence for the 1-0 Crusader lead.
• Lafayette tied the game in the second frame due to a sacrifice fly RBI.
• In the top of the third, Egrie stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. He was driven home by a Baillargeon RBI single for the 2-1 edge.
• Lafayette led 5-2 in the fifth as a single to left center put them ahead three.
• A Royer double, with a sac fly by pinch hitter, sophomore Alex Sandell and a Peek RBI single tied the game at 5-5 in the top of the sixth.
• With one out in the seventh, Royer hit a deep sacrifice fly to plate Scanlon from second base.

GAME TWO: LAFAYETTE 9, HOLY CROSS 6 (FINAL)

STARTING ON THE MOUND:

• Freshman Derek Volz: ND, 2.2 innings pitched, one hit allowed, four runs – two earned, four walks, three strikeouts.
• Pat Walega: ND, 2.2 innings pitched, two hits allowed, four earned runs, four walks, one strikeout.

OUT OF THE BULLPEN:

• Freshman Pedro Leon: L, (0-1), 3.1 innings pitched, six hits allowed, three earned runs, two walks, two strikeouts.
• Owen Basso: W, (1-1), 4.2 innings pitched, zero hits allowed, zero earned runs, two walks, six strikeouts.

STEPPING TO THE PLATE:

• Chris Baillargeon: 1-for-2, two runs scored, three walks, stolen base.
• Senior Connor Cooney: 1-for-4, RBI.
• Gianni Royer: 1-for-5, double, RBI.
• CJ Egrie: 0-for-3, run scored, RBI, walk, stolen base.
• Matt Colella: 4-for-4, double, two RBI, run scored.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A two out double off the bat of Royer brought in Baillargeon for the first run of the contest giving the Crusaders a 1-0 edge.
• A fielding error with two away in the home half of the first pushed the Leopards ahead 2-1.
• In the third, Egrie stole a base and moved 90 feet away on a throwing error. He eventually scored on a passed ball to level the score, 2-2. Sophomore John LaFleur worked a bases loaded walk to push the Crusaders back ahead 3-2. Lafayette made a pitching change and a wild pitch increased the score to 4-2.
• Lafayette came within one, 4-3 via a bunt single in the third. A two RBI triple with two outs put them in the lead at 5-4.
• An RBI groundout from Egrie in the fourth tied the contest at 5-5.
• In the fifth, Cooney recorded a bunt single to plate senior Jimmy King to regain the edge at 6-5.
• The Leopards retook the lead during the home half of the fifth producing a pair of runs.
• Two runs in the eighth added insurance for Lafayette.

DUE UP:

• Holy Cross faces Harvard (0-16) on Tuesday, March 25.
• First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.

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