Black Knights Drop Two in Weekend Series Opener

Saturday, April 21

Worcester, MA

12 PM

Army West Point

20-22, 0

Holy Cross

10-25, 0

ARMY

Holy Cross

Black Knights Drop Two in Weekend Series Opener

April 21, 2018 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Army West Point softball team dropped a pair of Patriot League games to Holy Cross on Saturday afternoon at Freshman Field.

The Black Knights (20-23, 5-6 Patriot League) were outhit 16-13 by the Crusaders (11-25, 4-7 Patriot League) in the two games combined.

In the fifth spot in the Army lineup, Kristen McPeek served as the primary run producer, driving in four of the team's seven runs on the day. Carrie Reilly and Izzy Gates both totaled three hits on the day, while Lacey Swafford and Emily Ballesteros also tallied a hit in each of the games.

GAME 1: HOLY CROSS 5, ARMY 3

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Reilly extended her hitting streak to 11 games, the longest streak by a Cadet this season.
She recorded her 11th multi-hit outing and 10th extra-base hit this year.
Four different Cadets stole a base in the game.
It was the fifth time this season that Army swiped multiple bases in a single game.
McPeek drove in two of Army's three runs.
She crossed home for the 20th time in her senior campaign.
Gates stole her first base of the season.
Swafford tallied a hit for the sixth consecutive outing.
Ballesteros picked up a base knock for the eighth straight game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Crusaders plated four runs in the opening three frames to grab an early 4-0 advantage.
In the fourth, Army cut into the deficit once Reilly hit a leadoff triple and came in to score on a McPeek sacrifice fly.
It remained a three-run game until the sixth. Ballesteros reached base safely on a leadoff infield single and Julia Wyatt came in to pinch run for the sophomore third baseman. Wyatt was given the green light and stole second before scoring on a McPeek RBI single to center. McPeek wasn't on first for long as she swiped second and then crossed home on a Gates RBI base knock to make it a one-run game, 4-3.
In the home half of the sixth, the Crusaders tacked on an insurance run after a costly fielding error by the Black Knights permitted another score.
Army came up in the seventh needing to plate at least two in order to extend the game, but Holy Cross managed to work a scoreless inning and capture the 5-3 league win.

GAME 2: HOLY CROSS 5, ARMY 4

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Reilly recorded a hit for the 12th consecutive game.
Gates tallied her first multi-hit effort this season.
McPeek posted her second straight two-RBI outing.
Drayton crossed home for the 10th time in her career.
Army hit two triples in a game for the first time since March 24 at Bucknell.
It was the sixth time this season that the Cadets stole multiple bases in a game.
Swafford extended her hitting streak to seven games.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Once again it was the Crusaders getting on the board first. In the bottom of the third and with a runner on second and two outs, Holy Cross got a timely two-bagger to plate a run.
In the fourth, a leadoff triple and a wild pitch gave the Crusaders a 2-0 lead.
The Black Knights came up to bat in the fifth and Drayton got things started with a leadoff triple to center. Gates then drew a base on balls and advanced to second on the play. With two Cadets in scoring position, Megan Muffet ripped an RBI single and advanced to second on the throw. On the ensuing play, the Crusaders turned a timely double play before getting out of the inning without any further damage.
Trailing by one, 2-1, Swafford led off the sixth for Army with a single and moved to second once Ballesteros reached safely on a Holy Cross error. After the first out was recorded, McPeek dug into the batter's box and roped a two-RBI triple down the line in right.
Army continued to put pressure on the Crusaders. Drayton drew a base on balls and stole second before advancing to third on a Gate's RBI bunt single.
The Black Knights carried their 4-2 lead into the seventh, but Holy Cross evened the score up after three singles before ultimately rallying for the 5-4 victory.

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