The Navy baseball team couldn’t recover from an early deficit, falling 8–1 to Holy Cross on Sunday afternoon at Max Bishop Stadium. The loss ended a three-game series between the top two teams in the Patriot League, with the Crusaders taking the finale and the series win.
Navy (22–19, 13–9 PL) gave up three runs in the top of the first inning and never found its rhythm. Holy Cross (21–20, 12–7 PL) jumped ahead with two early singles, followed by Gianni Royer’s two-run double down the left field line. A double steal and a sacrifice fly by Sean Scanlon brought Royer home for a 3–0 lead.
The Crusaders kept the pressure on in the second inning. Two more singles set up a sacrifice-squeeze bunt by Sam LaFleur, pushing the lead to 4–0.
Navy’s lone run came in the third. Owen Peterson advanced on a throwing error, a stolen base, and a groundout, then scored on Brock Murtha’s RBI grounder to make it 4–1. But Holy Cross starter Jaden Wywoda responded with a perfect fourth inning and continued to hold the Midshipmen in check.
The Crusaders extended their lead in the fifth on a fielding error that allowed CJ Egrie to score. Two more runs crossed in the sixth thanks to a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch and Royer’s RBI groundout.
Navy had chances in the sixth and seventh innings but left two runners on base in each frame. Holy Cross added an eighth run in the eighth inning, when Egrie tagged up and scored on a sacrifice foul pop.
Marco Citro finished the game for Holy Cross, escaping trouble in the eighth with a double play and retiring the side in order in the ninth.
Wywoda earned the win, allowing just one run on two hits over 6.2 innings with six strikeouts. Citro added two strikeouts in 2.1 shutout innings.
Navy starter Kevin Maurer gave up three runs in the first inning. Adyn Lucero followed with three innings of one-run ball. The bullpen saw contributions from Ryan Bibb, Mikey Plummer, John Carroll, Jackson Beattie, and Rayne Fry.
Game Notes
- Navy now leads the all-time series with Holy Cross 94–59.
- Mason Ceccarelli and Ty DePerno each extended their on-base streaks to 13 games.
- Brock Murtha recorded his fifth game this season with multiple stolen bases.
- Lucero matched his career high with three innings pitched.
Up Next
Navy wraps up its brief homestand on Tuesday with a 5 p.m. non-conference game against William & Mary, airing on ESPN+.
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