April 7, 2013

11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E Holy Cross 1 3 1 0 6 0 0 11 8 0 Lafayette 0 0 0 2 0 3 0 5 7 3 Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) 5

EASTON, Pa. - Holy Cross scored in four of the first five innings, including a a six-run fifth, and eventually came away with an 11-5 win in game one of Sunday's doubleheader at Kamine Stadium.

Alex Osuchowski hit a three run home run for Lafayette (6-24, 3-4), which was held in check by Crusaders' starter Donny Murray, who earned the win after going five innings and giving up two runs on four hits. He also struck out five and walked five.

Evan Ocello wasted no time in putting Holy Cross (12-16, 5-2) in the scoring column against Leopards' right-hander Connor Ortolf. Ocello connected with the first pitch of the game and sent it over the centerfield wall to give Holy Cross an early 1-0 advantage. Ortolf settled in and retired the 2-3-4 hitters in order to finish the top of the first.

Murray got the first two outs of the inning before Lafayette's Kevin Casey ripped a single into left field and stole second on a 1-2 pitch to Campbell Lipe. With Casey in scoring position, Lipe fouled out on the ninth pitch of the at bat behind the plate to catcher Stephen Wadsworth.

Holy Cross threatened its next time to the plate after Ortolf issued a free pass to Jordan Enos and Patrick Puentes singled through the hole on the right side. Nick Lovullo drilled a 2-2 pitch off the base of the wall in center, chasing home Enos to put the Crusaders up 2-0. Facing Ocello with two away and runners on the corners after a bunt by Alex Maldonado resulted in an out at the plate, Ortolf loaded the bases with a four-pitch walk. The visitors took advantage of the opportunity, as Andrew Barry plated two with a single through the left side to run the score to 4-0.

Thomas Dunleavy reached safely on a two-out double down the third base line, before walks to Brad Hopek and Andrew Landolfi loaded the bases for Andrew Santomauro. Murray eluded trouble when Santomauro flied out to centerfield to end the inning.

Enos added Holy Cross' fifth run on a solo shot to right field after Ortolf struck out Wadsworth swinging and Santomauro tracked down a fly ball on the warning track to start the third. Andrew Ruck beat out an infield hit to begin the home half of the inning, but got three consecutive outs to hold Lafayette scoreless.

Following an out to start the fourth, Ortolf surrendered a single and walked Ocello before giving way to Connor McMahon. The freshman right hander sent down Barry looking for the second out before Mike Ahmed grounded to shortstop, to close Ortolf's line. He pitched 3.1 innings and gave up five earned run on six hits, while walking three and striking out one.

Murray ran into some trouble in the Leopards' portion of the fourth, when he loaded the bases with one away against Santomauro. A past ball allowed Dunleavy to score from third before a sac fly scored Hopek from third. Murray's fifth walk of the day placed runners on first and third for Casey, but the second baseman was retired 5-3 to complete the fourth.

In search of a shutdown inning in the fifth, McMahon hit two batters before Puentes broke the game open with a three-run jack to right center, giving Holy Cross an 8-2 cushion. Holy Cross loaded the bases with a walk, an error and another hit by pitch prior to Ryan Callanan coming out of the Lafayette bullpen with one out. The Crusaders scored three more in the inning to take an 11-2 lead

Holy Cross eventually came away with the 11-5 after Osuchowski's three run shot in the sixth.
Fans can follow along during game two of the doubleheader on twitter @LafayetteBsbl, online by using or by watching live on GoLeopards.com/allaccess.