LEXINGTON, Va. – Sophomore outfielder
Gianni Royer had a clutch two-out two RBI double in game one while senior outfielder
Connor Cooney belted a grand slam, part of a six RBI effort in game two as the Holy Cross baseball team swept VMI in a nonconference twinbill, 3-1 and 16-7 Saturday afternoon at Lamore Field at Gray-Minor Stadium.
The wins even the Crusaders record at 7-7 while the Keydets slide to 11-3.
With two outs in the top of the seventh, Royer drove a 2-2 offering to center which cleared the bases putting Holy Cross ahead 3-1. His knock gave junior right-handed pitcher
Danny Macchiarola the win as he struck out eight batters in the contest. From the second to third inning, Macchiarola struck out six batters in a row. Freshman
Jake Lenahan shut the door, setting down the side via punch out in order for his first career save.
Cooney was 3-for-4 with a grand slam, double, six RBI, a pair of walks and a stolen base in game two. The six RBI bested his previous career-high of five set at Navy on March 26, 2022. Royer finished game two and the doubleheader going 6-for-10 (.600) with three doubles, a triple, five RBI and three runs scored.
VMI, who came into the doubleheader with an NCAA leading 96 steals, stole only two bases combined across the two contests.
GAME ONE: HOLY CROSS 3, VMI 1 (7 INN.)
STARTING ON THE MOUND:
- Junior Danny Macchiarola: W, (2-2), 6.0 innings pitched, three hits allowed, one run – none earned, five walks, eight strikeouts.
- Caden Plummer: L, (3-1), 7.0 innings pitched
OUT OF THE BULLPEN:
- Freshman Jake Lenahan: S, (1), 1.0 innings pitched, three strikeouts.
STEPPING TO THE PLATE:
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- After allowing a lead-off single in the top of the second. Macchiarola struck out the next three batters in order, keeping the game scoreless.
- Holy Cross scored a run in the top of the third via a passed ball with one out in the top of the third.
- In the third, Macchiarola punched out two more batters keeping the Crusaders ahead.
- VMI tied the game in the fourth on an infield single.
- In the sixth, VMI had runners on first and second with no outs. They attempted a sacrifice bunt, but the Crusaders rolled up a pair to end the scoring threat.
- With two outs in the top of the seventh, Royer lined a double to clear the bases to give the Crusaders a 3-1 lead.
- Lenahan came on in relief and retired the side.
GAME TWO: HOLY CROSS 16, VMI 7
STARTING ON THE MOUND:
- Freshman Derek Volz: ND, 3.1 innings pitched, zero hits allowed, three earned runs, four walks, four strikeouts.
- Jaxon Lloyd: L, (2-1), 2.0 innings pitched, six hits allowed, five earned runs, two walks, four strikeouts.
OUT OF THE BULLPEN:
- Sophomore Dan Mateffy: W, (1-1), 4.1 innings pitched, four hits allowed, four earned runs, four walks, nine strikeouts.
- Colin Dowdle: 1.0 innings pitched, one strikeout.
- Justin Spiegel: 1.1 innings pitched, three hits allowed, six runs – five earned, three walks, three strikeouts.
- Nolan Williamson: 0.1 innings pitched, three hits allowed, three earned runs.
- Owen Riley: 3.2 innings pitched, five hits allowed, two runs – one earned, three walks, two strikeouts.
- Sam Bennett: 1.1 innings pitched, one hit allowed, two walks, two strikeouts.
- Peyton Vaught: 0.1 innings pitched.
STEPPING TO THE PLATE:
- Connor Cooney: 3-for-4, home run, double, six RBI, three runs scored, two walks, stolen base.
- Gianni Royer: 4-for-6, two doubles, triple, three RBI, three runs scored.
- Sean Scanlon: 2-for-4, double, RBI, two runs scored, walk.
- Jimmy King: 2-for-5, three runs scored, walk, stolen base.
- Chris Baillargeon: 2-for-4, double, two walks, stolen base.
- Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, RBI, two runs scored, walk.
- Boston Torres: 2-for-4, home run, RBI, two runs scored.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Cooney singled in the second with two outs to open the scoring which brought home a pair for the 2-0 Crusader lead. Some more two out hitting by the Crusaders, a Royer triple added two more runs as Holy Cross led 4-0.
- Cooney walloped a grand slam in the third frame to double the Crusader lead at 8-0.
- A CJ Egrie RBI single and doubles off the bat of Royer and sophomore Braden Connors built the margin to 14-0 through three and a half innings.
- VMI got on the board in the fourth via three bases loaded free passes to trail 14-3.
- Scanlon singled in the sixth with one down to expand the margin to 15-4.
- VMI held off run rule defeat belting a two-run shot in the bottom of the seventh to trail 15-7
- Freshman Nick Spaner pinch hit and lined a double in his first collegiate at bat to increase the Holy Cross lead to 16-7.
POSTGAME THOUGHTS:
DUE UP:
- Holy Cross looks for their sixth win of their spring break trip on Sunday, March 9.
- First pitch is slated for 11 a.m. against VMI.
FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross baseball team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
X - @HCrossBaseball | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrossbaseball | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Baseball | Holy Cross Athletics
YouTube - GoHolyCross
