Holy Cross Athletics

WEST HAVEN, Conn. –  The Holy Cross softball team swept its midweek doubleheader at the University of New Haven on Wednesday, Apr. 29. The Crusaders secured a 4-3 win in game one and backed it up with a 1-0 eight-inning shutout in game two.

Senior Anna Brait led the way for Holy Cross in the opener, finishing 2-for-4 with three RBI and delivering the go-ahead RBI double in the fifth.

Senior pitcher Sophia Roncone tossed her 11th complete game of the season, going seven innings with two strikeouts and four walks while allowing three runs on six hits.

Freshman right-hander Bridget Mulkeen delivered a dominant performance in game two, throwing eight shutout innings with five strikeouts while allowing just two hits. Mulkeen turned in her fourth complete game of the year. Her extra-inning shutout against the Chargers marked Holy Cross' first since Megan Yurchick's eight-inning no-hitter against Merrimack on April 12, 2023.

Freshman Emma Horrocks belted a go-ahead pinch-hit RBI single to right-center in the top of the eighth inning, to bring across the game's lone run. 

GAME ONE: HOLY CROSS 4, NEW HAVEN 3 (FINAL)

STARTING IN THE CIRCLE:

• Holy Cross: Sophia Roncone (W, 4-14), 7.0 innings pitched, six hits allowed, three runs (three earned), two strikeouts, four walks
• New Haven: Skylar Griffin, 4.0 innings pitched, five hits allowed, three runs (three earned), strikeout, two walks, HBP

IN RELIEF: 

• New Haven: Peyton Sullivan (L, 2-10), 3.0 inning pitched, five hits allowed, one run (one earned), strikeout

AT THE PLATE:

• Silje Emery: 2-for-4, run
• Kate Trudgen: 1-for-4
• Bella Nugent: 2-for-3, RBI, two runs
• Emily McCandless: 3-for-4, two doubles, run
• Anna Brait: 2-for-4, double, three RBI

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Freshman Bella Nugent got Holy Cross on the board in the top of the first, driving in sophomore Silje Emery on a sacrifice fly to center field for a 1-0 lead.
• New Haven responded in the bottom half of the inning, as RBI knocks by Kylie Thorpe and Brianna Trueman helped give them a 3-1 edge.
• Brait tied the game at 3-3 with a two-run single up the middle in the top of the third.
• Brait hit a go-ahead RBI double to right center in the bottom of the fifth, putting the Crusaders ahead 4-3.

GAME TWO: HOLY CROSS 1, NEW HAVEN 0 (FINAL/8)

STARTING IN THE CIRCLE:

• Holy Cross: Bridget Mulkeen (W, 5-8), 8.0 innings pitched, two hits allowed, no runs, five strikeouts, one walk, two HBP
• New Haven: Katie Rhodes, 3.0 innings pitched, two hits allowed, no runs, strikeout

IN RELIEF: 

• New Haven: Cecelia Imbimbo, 2.0 innings pitched, no hits, no runs, strikeout
• Skylar Griffin (L, 0-9), 3.0 innings pitched, three hits, one run (none earned), two strikeouts, two walks

AT THE PLATE:

• Kate Trudgen: 1-for-1
• Silje Emery: 1-for-2, walk
• Emma Horrocks: 1-for-1, double, RBI
• Emily McCandless: 1-for-3
• Anna Brait: 1-for-3, stolen base

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After seven scoreless innings, Horrocks delivered a pinch-hit RBI single to right-center field, giving the Crusaders a 1-0 lead.
• Senior Ali Sniegocki made a diving catch in center field and doubled off New Haven runner Bri Pellicone at second base to win the game.

UP NEXT: 

• Holy Cross returns to Worcester for its final regular season series of the year against Army West Point.
• The series begins with a doubleheader on Saturday, May 2. First pitch for game one is set for 12:00 p.m. followed by game two at 2:00 p.m.
• Holy Cross will hold its 2026 Senior Day ceremony prior to the start of game one.

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