WORCESTER, Mass. –  The Holy Cross softball team split its doubleheader against Lafayette on Saturday, Apr. 18 at Freshman Field. The Crusaders fell 5-3 in game one, but bounced back for a 4-2 victory in game two.

Following today's games, Holy Cross moves to 4-7 in conference play. The Crusaders are currently tied with Lafayette and Bucknell for the final spot in the Patriot League Tournament. The deciding game of the series is currently scheduled for Sunday, Apr. 19 with a 10:30 a.m. first pitch. Stay tuned to GoHolyCross.com for any additional updates.

Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Holy Cross would rally for four late runs to earn the win. After tying the game at 2-2, sophomore Kate Trudgen ripped a go-ahead two-run single to left field, giving the Crusaders their first lead of the game.

Freshman pitcher Bridget Mulkeen had a masterful outing in the circle, tossing her first career complete game. She finished the afternoon with 7.0 innings pitched, six hits, two runs, four strikeouts, three walks and stranded six baserunners.

This afternoon also saw the Crusaders honor softball icon and Holy Cross Athletics Hall of Famer Genoa Grosch Dickson '99, who became the first player in program history to have her jersey retired. Grosch Dickson was honored prior to the start of game one, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch and having her No. 11 jersey unveiled in right-center field. 

Grosch Dickson graduated with numerous program records, including top single-season marks for strikeouts, wins, ERA, starts, complete games, and shutouts. She also set several career program records, for strikeouts, starts, complete games, shutouts, ERA, where she holds the top position by more than a full run and wins, where she still has 16 more than second place.

GAME ONE: HOLY CROSS 3, LAFAYETTE 5 (FINAL)

STARTING IN THE CIRCLE:

• Holy Cross: Sophia Roncone (L, 3-12), 7.0 innings pitched, seven hits allowed, five runs (five earned), seven strikeouts, six walks
• Lafayette: Merissa Powell, 2.0 innings pitched, two hits allowed, two runs (two earned), two strikeouts, two walks

IN RELIEF: 

• Lafayette: Sophia Alvarez-Backus (W, 3-7) (S, 2) 5.0 innings pitched, three hits allowed, run (earned), strikeout, three walks

AT THE PLATE:

• Silje Emery: 1-for-3, HBP, stolen base
• Kate Trudgen: 1-for-4, run
• Ali Sniegocki: 2-for-4
• Bella Nugent: 1-for-2, home run, three RBI, run
• Caroline Hall: 2-for-4, double, home run, two RBI, run

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Freshman Bella Nugent blasted a two-run home run to center field in the bottom of the second, giving the Crusaders an early 2-0 lead.
• Nugent drove in Trudgen on a sacrifice fly to left field in the bottom of the third, extending Holy Cross' lead to 3-0.
• Lafayette's Caroline Hall cut Holy Cross' lead to 3-2 after launching a two-run home run to left-center.
• Regan Dillon hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh to put the Leopards ahead 4-3.
• Katie Harrington hit a solo shot to straight-away center, extending Lafayette's lead to 5-3.

GAME TWO: HOLY CROSS 4, LAFAYETTE 2 (FINAL)

STARTING IN THE CIRCLE:

• Holy Cross: Bridget Mulkeen (W, 4-5), 7.0 innings pitched, six hits allowed, two runs (two earned), four strikeouts, three walks, HBP
• Lafayette: 4.0 innings pitched, three hits allowed, no runs, strikeout, walk

IN RELIEF: 

• Lafayette: Jordan Goedel (L, 1-8), 2.0 innings pitched, three hits allowed, four runs (four earned), strikeout, two walks

AT THE PLATE:

• Silje Emery: 2-for-4 RBI
• Kate Trudgen: 1-for-3, two RBI
• Anna Brait: 1-for-3
• Bella Nugent: 1-for-2, walk, run
• Brooke Ventrelle: 2-for-3, double, RBI, run
• Kendall Grady: 1-for-2, walk, run

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Lafayette's Dani Rosner drove in Olivia Catalina on a single in the top of the third inning, giving the Leopards a 1-0 advantage.
• Caroline Hall hit an RBI-single through the left side in the top of the fifth inning, bringing around Jessica Tejera to make it 2-0 Lafayette.
• Senior Brooke Ventrelle hit an RBI-double down the right-field line in the bottom of the sixth, scoring Nugent to make it 2-1.
• Sophomore Silje Emery tied the game at 2-2 with an RBI-single up the middle that scored Emily McCandless from third.
• Trudgen drove in a pair of runners on the very next pitch with a single to left field, putting the Crusaders ahead 4-2.
• Mulkeen shut down the Leopards in the top of the seventh to earn the victory.

UP NEXT: 

• The Crusaders conclude the weekend series with Lafayette on Sunday, Apr. 19
• First pitch is set for 10:30 a.m.

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