Black Knights Battle Crusaders on Saturday

Saturday, April 23

Worcester, MA

12 P.M.

Army West Point

17-26, 7-3

Holy Cross

15-27, 4-9

Army

Holy Cross

Black Knights Battle Crusaders on Saturday

April 23, 2022 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

WORCESTER, Mass. --- Army West Point Softball (17-26, 8-3) dropped the first of two games to Holy Cross (15-28, 4-10), 6-2, but rallied in the second game to blank the Crusaders 6-0, on Saturday afternoon.

Game 1

Jolie Duong (9-9) opened the contest with a double to right field but was left on base as the next three Cadets were retired. Holy Cross took the lead in the bottom frame with one run off one hit and an error.

Lauren Little rallied the Black Knights in the second by drawing a walk and stealing second during the next at bat. Ellie Caldwell capitalized on the runner by firing off an RBI single up the middle, tying the game up at 1-1.

Holy Cross quickly responded with two runs off three hits for a 3-1 lead over Army. Army was unable to answer until the top of the fifth when Kayla Edwards fired up the team with a triple to right center. Leila Hurst brought Edwards home with a sacrifice fly to right field putting Army within one of Holy Cross, 3-2.

Parker Llantero entered the circle in the second inning and helped Army tame Holy Cross's offense. The Crusaders were quiet until the bottom of the sixth when they scored three runs to jump to a 6-2 lead over the Black Knights.

Army battled at the plate in the top of the seventh looking for a last-second rally. Duong hit a two-out single but was left on base as the next batter was retired. Army dropped game one 6-2 to Holy Cross.

Game 2

Army got on the board in the top of the first scoring one run of one hit. Edwards singled to center field and beat out a fielder's choice to get to second. One more runner reach to load the bases with one out on the board. Little put the ball into play and tallied the RBI as Edwards crossed home plate giving Army the 1-0 lead.

Emily Iannotti (7-3) only allowed one hit in the bottom frame and stranded a runner on base to get Army back to the batter's box.

In the top of the first, Duong hit a two-out single up the middle and was moved to second by a base hit off the bat of Edwards. Hurst brought a runner home with a single through the right-side extending Army's lead to 2-0. Iannotti took care of business in the next half inning by striking out two batters and stranding a runner on base.

Army put more runs on the board in the top of the fourth scoring two runs off three hits. Duong hit a one-out single to the shortstop to get the momentum started for the Black Knights. Edwards launched an RBI double to left center giving the Cadets the 3-0 advantage over the Crusaders. Hurst moved Edwards into scoring position with base hit setting the scene for Maddie Wilkes. Wilkes hit the ball deep into center field giving Edwards enough time to tag up and sprint home. Army ended the frame with a 4-0 lead.

The Black Knights added on their final runs in the top of sixth. Hurst laid down a sacrifice bunt for an RBI and moved a running to third. Wilkes brought home the runner on third with a single to second base extending Army's lead to 6-0 over Holy Cross.

Iannotti picked up her first shutout of the season while striking out six batters and turning one double play.

Inside the Box Score

Duong finished 4-for-7 at the plate with three runs.
Edwards recorded three runs, three hits and one RBI in the two games.
Iannotti recorded the first shutout of her career.

Up Next
The Black Knights battle the Crusaders in the rubber match on Sunday, April 24, at 12 p.m.

Follow Along
For complete coverage of Army West Point softball, follow the Black Knights on Twitter @ArmyWP_Softball, on Instagram @armywp_softball, and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.