Box Score | Photo Gallery

EASTON, Pa. --A three-run second inning pushed Holy Cross past Lafayette softball, 4-1, on Wednesday afternoon at Metzgar Fields.

Holy Cross starter Gennifer Durham (5-9) held Lafayette to four hits in the windy series opener, allowing one run in seven innings.

The Leopards used a lead-off double by Samantha Sweigart to get things going in the first inning. Sweigart advanced to third on a wild pitch with no outs in the inning. The Leopards were down to their last out, but Miranda Skurla came through with an RBI-single for the 1-0 lead.

The advantage was short-lived. Holy Cross plated three runs in the second. After a lead-off double by Emily Krisanda, the Leopards and starter Stacy Gordon looked like they might escape unscathed. The Lafayette defense picked off a runner at third for the second out of the inning, but Holy Cross rattled off three straight hits, the big blow a double by Jaclyn Brewster as the visitors led 3-1.

Holy Cross (6-21, 2-2) put the first two runners of the sixth inning on base, prompting Lafayette head coach Jexx Varner to replace Gordon with Stephanie Thomas. The Crusaders put on the bunt and the wheel play was on for the Leopards. The baserunner beat Brooke Wensel (2-for-2) to the bag at third as Skurla charged. The throw to third was low, bounding away and allowing Krisanda to score for the 4-1 lead.

Lafayette (8-22, 0-7) managed only two baserunners in the final four innings as Holy Cross held on.

Gordon took the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits in five innings. Thomas allowed just one hit in the final two innings, while striking out two.

Saturday's doubleheader has been postponed and the final two games of the series will be played on Sunday at noon (game time subject to change depending on field conditions).