Worcester, Mass. - Pitcher John Pedrotty struck out seven batters over five innings to lead Holy Cross to a 15-10 victory over UAlbany in non-conference baseball action on Friday afternoon at Fitton Field.
Jack Laurendeau led the Crusaders off with a triple and then scored the game's first run in the bottom of the first, giving Holy Cross an early 1-0 lead on an RBI groundout by Eric Oxford. Holy Cross added two runs in the bottom of the second to pull ahead 3-0. UAlbany responded in the top of the third, as Nolan Gaige drove a two-run homer over the centerfield fence to get within one run, 3-2.
The Great Danes tied the score at three-all in the top of the fourth, as Pedrotty walked a batter in. The Crusaders answered with one run in the bottom half of the inning to take back a one-run lead on an RBI single by Andrew Barry. UAlbany then took a 5-4 lead in the top of the fifth, as the Great Dane bats connected for four straight base hits with two outs on the board. Kyle Crean, who started the rally, scored the go-ahead run on an RBI single by D.J. Hoagboon. However, Holy Cross put seven runs on the board in the bottom of the inning to go ahead 11-5. Barry collected two RBI in the frame.
UAlbany claimed one run back in the top of the sixth, as Gaige knocked a lead-off single off reliever Josh Hauser and later scored on a base hit by Pete DiResta. Terry McFadden came out of the bullpen to get three quick outs for the Great Danes in the bottom of the inning, allowing the UAlbany bats to tack on four additional runs in the seventh to pull within 11-10. Ralph Rizzo recorded an RBI single, while both Jeff Welsh and Greg Muller recorded doubles that sent runs home. Welsh scored on a triple by DiResta, who also made it across home plate for the fourth run of the inning.
Brendan McCrea then knocked in his third run of the game in the bottom of the seventh, giving the Crusaders an insurance run to make it a 12-10 score. Holy Cross opened the game back up in the bottom of the eighth, scoring three final runs. Closer John Colella retired the final six UAlbany batters, including four strikeouts, to pick up the save.
UAlbany starter Dave Kubiak took the loss on the mound after four and two-thirds innings, striking out nine while allowing two earned runs.
UAlbany (4-9) will meet Holy Cross (6-7) for the second game of the weekend series on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. The Great Danes will also play St. John's at noon, also at Fitton Field.
