BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh and Holy Cross met for the final time this weekend from J. David Walker Field after splitting the first two games of the series. The Mountain Hawks were bested 14-2 by the Crusaders in seven innings.
Jaden Wywoda picked up his third win of the season for Holy Cross (21-24, 11-10 PL), pitching 5.0 innings with three strikeouts while allowing six hits and two runs. Lehigh (21-21-1, 7-14 PL) starting pitcher Marcus Danchison was credited with the loss after conceding a lead to the Crusaders at the top of the first that the Mountain Hawks could not overcome.
Holy Cross began the game firing on all cylinders, as the Crusaders plated six runs before the first out of the game was recorded. Colin Brown reached on an error to start the game and the next two batters were hit, resulting in a bases loaded situation. Two singles, a walk and a double allowed six runs to come across the plate, resulting in a pitching change for Lehigh. The Crusaders walked in another run in the frame, but relief pitcher Brandon Coughlin was able to escape the inning after the big jam.
Facing a seven-run deficit, the Mountain Hawks added a run from a Raffaele Rogers single at the bottom of the first to cut the Crusaders’ lead to six. After Coughlin retired the side 1-2-3 in the second, Jake Whitlinger’s double down the left field line sent Sam Holtz across home plate to cut the lead to five after two innings.
At the top of the third, the Crusaders again found themselves in a bases-loaded situation with no outs on the board. Holy Cross made Lehigh pay, as Chris Baillargeon homered to right field for a grand slam to set the score at 11-2. The Crusaders added additional runs in the fifth and sixth innings, setting the score 14-2 after six innings. Neither team scored in the seventh, resulting in the game being called.
Whitlinger, Holtz, and Justin Butler each recorded two hits on the day while Rogers, Tyler Young and Drew Morse provided the other hits in the game for Lehigh.
The Mountain Hawks will play their final home game of the season at J. David Walker Field on Wednesday, May 1 against Wagner. First pitch is scheduled for 3 pm
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