WORCESTER, Mass. — Behind a dominant offensive performance and a strong outing from Tristan Helmick, Lafayette defeated Holy Cross, 9-3, on Friday at Fitton Field. The Leopards used a five-run seventh inning and a 12-hit attack to pull away for their first Patriot League win of the season.

Lafayette opened the scoring in the third inning when Will Dobil singled and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Liam Ebbs. The Leopards extended their lead to 2-0 in the fifth, as Boden Fernsler singled and was driven home by an Alex Barrist base hit to left field.

While Holy Cross cut the deficit to one in the sixth, Lafayette responded with a decisive surge in the seventh. The rally began with a double from Fernsler, followed by a Dobil single and a Ryan Ulisse walk to load the bases. Ebbs then drove in two runners with a single down the rightfield line. After Barrist reached on an error that scored Ulisse, Jack Mislan added an RBI-single. A sacrifice bunt by Charlie Chropuvka scored Barrist and capped the frame, giving the Leopards a 7-1 cushion.

Holy Cross added two runs in the eighth, but Ebbs provided more fireworks for the Maroon and White in the ninth with a solo home run to right-center field. Brandon Doubek added the final insurance run later in the inning, doubling to left field to drive in Mislan, making the final score 9-3.

Helmick earned the win, pitching 7.1 innings and allowing three runs on eight hits, while striking out eight batters. Jaden Wywoda took the loss, surrendering five runs on seven hits over 6.0 innings.

The Leopards continue their series at Holy Cross with a doubleheader on Sunday starting at 1 p.m.