LEXINGTON, Va. – Senior shortstop Jimmy King posted a five hit effort as the Holy Cross baseball team dropped a 16-15 decision to nonconference opponent VMI on Sunday to close their spring break trip.

The loss sends the Crusaders to 7-8 on the year while the Keydets improve to 12-3.

King was 5-for-6 in the game with two RBI and a steal as well as the only extra base hit of the game, a double for the Crusaders. The five base knocks matched a career-high last established at Lehigh on April 28, 2024. It was his third four+ hit effort of his career. King batted fifth in the lineup which saw the Crusader two through five hitters combine to go 14-for-23 (.609) with seven RBI, eight runs scored, two walks, and two steals.

Making his first collegiate start behind the plate, freshman Nick Spaner was 2-for-6 with three RBI and a run scored. Junior CJ Egrie has reached base in 15 straight games to begin the season and in his last 24 contests dating back to May 7, 2023.

STARTING ON THE MOUND:

• Roberto Velasquez: ND, 2.2 innings pitched, eight hits allowed, seven runs – three earned, three walks, two strikeouts.
• Junior Jaden Wywoda: ND, 5.0 innings pitched, six hits allowed, six runs – five earned, three walks, three strikeouts.

OUT OF THE BULLPEN:

• Evan Parmer: 3.1 innings pitched, seven hits allowed, four runs, two earned, two walks, strikeout.
• Nathan Hawley: 1.0 innings pitched, four hits allowed, four runs – three earned, walk, two strikeouts.
• Hunter Sipe: W, (1-0), 1.2 innings pitched, two hits allowed, one strikeout.
• Clark Driscoll: 0.1 innings pitched, one strikeout.
• Freshman Jake Lenahan: 1.0 innings pitched, two hits allowed, two earned runs, walk, three strikeouts.
• Sophomore Nick Harnisch: 1.1 innings pitched, five hits allowed, six earned runs, walk.
• Freshman Pedro Leon: L, (0-1), 1.1 innings pitched, three hits allowed, two earned runs, three walks, strikeout.

STEPPING TO THE PLATE:

• Grayson Fitzwater:2-for-6, home run, seven RBI, run scored.
• Senior Sean Scanlon: 3-for-6, two RBI, two runs scored.
• Sophomore Gianni Royer: 3-for-6, two runs scored, walk, stolen base.
• Senior Chris Baillargeon: 3-for-5, three RBI, two runs scored, walk.
• Senior Connor Cooney: 2-for-5, two RBI, two runs scored, stolen base.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A fielder's choice RBI opened the scoring for the Keydets in the home half of the first.
• Holy Cross added a pair in the second to take the lead on Spaner's RBI single to right.
• Two doubles with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth pushed VMI ahead 5-2.
• Eight runs in the third for the Crusaders gave them a 9-5 edge. Spaner tied the game with a two RBI single and Egrie pushed the Crusaders ahead with an RBI single to left. King brought in Scanlon to increase the score to 10-5.
• A solo homer by VMI trimmed the margin to 9-6 in the fourth.
• A two RBI single with two outs in the sixth put VMI down 9-8.
• Three runs in the seventh and a pair in the eighth moved Holy Cross ahead 15-8.
• VMI scored eight runs in their final two frames, getting a grand slam in the eighth and a run on  balk to come within one before walking off the game in the ninth.

DUE UP:

• Holy Cross opens their home schedule on Tuesday, March 11 against Massachusetts (5-5-1).
• First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. and the contest will stream on ESPN+.

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