Baseball Splits Doubleheader with Holy Cross

LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison baseball team (9-12, 3-3 Patriot League) split a doubleheader with the Holy Cross Crusaders (8-13, 1-1 Patriot League) on Sunday afternoon. The Bison won the first game, a seven-inning affair, 10-3, but fell 11-5 in the second contest of nine innings.

Bucknell's hitting powered the offense in the 10-3 triumph. The Bison fell behind 2-0 before exploding for ten runs to guarantee the win. Bucknell's potent offense came in the fourth and fifth innings when the team scored five runs in each frame. Andrew Swenson's bases-clearing triple in the fourth inning provided the 4-2 advantage that the Orange & Blue would never relinquish. Tyler O'Neill pitched six solid innings on the mound to keep the Crusader bats silent after an early two run outburst.

Holy Cross copied Bucknell's formula in the second game using a pair of four run innings to create a decisive margin. The Crusaders scored their runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Bucknell had the game tied at 2-2 before the Worcester team went on a 9-1 run. The Bison scored two runs in the final frame but could not mount a magical comeback.

Game One Recap

By the fourth inning, Holy Cross led 2-0 on an RBI single and a solo home run. Bucknell erased the lead with a five-run fourth inning. The first five Bison hitters all reached and scored. Billy Kender singled, Michael Trommer walked, and Nic Adamo singled to score Kender. Michael Fluharty walked to load the bases. That set the stage for Swenson's massive blow. Swenson hit a slicing shot that dodged the diving left fielder's glove and rolled to the fence. The bases were cleared and Bucknell led 4-2. Swenson scored when Holy Cross' pitcher committed a balk.

Bucknell added five more runs in the fifth inning. Kender singled and advanced to second on the left fielder's error. Trommer singled to third base when his hit started foul but bounced fair. Adamo doubled to left field to score Kender. Fluharty reached on an error and Trommer scored. Swenson's RBI grounder tallied Adamo. Jacob Corson walked and Sean Keys dialed up an RBI single. Grant Voytovich's RBI fielder's choice finished the scoring at 10-2.

Holy Cross added a run in the sixth inning on a double and a single combo but the Bison pitching prevented any late inning miracles.

Game Two Recap

In the second inning, Bucknell jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Swenson drove in a run on a fielder's choice. The second run came when Luke Nascimento lined into a double play. The catcher smashed a screaming line drive out to the center fielder who doubled up Swenson. Fortunately for Bucknell, Kender scored before the final out was completed.

Holy Cross immediately counterattacked in the third inning. The first three batters walked and singled which scored the first run. A RBI grounder followed. The Bison starter, Mikey Myro, avoided further damage but the lead was lost.

The Crusaders seized the lead in the fifth inning. A leadoff single was followed by Myro's wild pitch. A fly out advanced the runner to third and a second fly out scored the Crusader.

Bucknell went to the bullpen in the sixth inning and Holy Cross took advantage. Connor Vucovich took the mound and it started well with a strikeout. But a hit by pitch situation changed the whole complexion. The following batter reached on an error and then Holy Cross pulled off a double steal to score a run. Two walks and a wild pitch followed. An infield single and a fielder's choice scored two runs. A single to right field scored the final run for the 7-2 Holy Cross lead.

The Bison got one run back in the sixth inning. Voytovich reached on an error and stole second base. Trommer's single to center field scored the right fielder.

The Crusaders answered with four runs in the seventh inning to put the game away. Two straight singles scored two runs. A walk followed and another expertly placed single tallied two more runs for the 11-3 lead.

Bucknell refused to quit and scored two runs in the final frame. Trommer singled and Sweson and Nascimento walked to load the bases. Christopher Morabito lifed a sacrifice fly to left field for one run. A passed ball would score Swenson but Corson grounded out to end the game.

Up Next

Bucknell returns to action tomorrow against Army at 12 p.m. for a doubleheader at Depew Field.

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Team Stats

Sean Keys

Billy Kender

Michael Trommer

Nic Adamo

Players Mentioned

Nic Adamo

Jacob Corson

Billy Kender

Sean Keys

Mikey Myro

Luke Nascimento

Tyler O'Neill

Andrew Swenson

Michael Trommer

Grant Voytovich

Connor Vucovich