The Holy Cross softball team will return to action down South for two tournaments in Florida. First from Mar. 7-8, the Crusaders will travel to Florida Gulf Coast, before heading to their next series of games at the University of South Florida’s Under Armour Showcase from Mar. 10-12.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA GULF COAST INVITATIONAL

• The Crusaders will play four games at the Florida Gulf Coast Invitational in Fort Myers, Fla. Each contest will take place at Florida Gulf Coast’s Softball Complex.
• Holy Cross will be facing three opponents, starting with Florida International on Mar. 7 at 1:00 p.m. The Crusaders will then take on the host, Florida Gulf Coast on Mar. 7 at 5:45 p.m. and square off with Ball State on Mar. 8 at 2:30 p.m. Holy Cross will conclude action at the invitational against the Eagles on Mar. 8 at 5:00 p.m.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CRUSADERS

• Holy Cross is off to a 2-3 record after its first five contests played at the Runnin’ Bulldog Tournament hosted by Gardner-Webb from Feb. 17-19.
• The Crusaders opened their season on Feb. 17 with two wins for the first time in 17 seasons with victories over Hampton (7-4) and Gardner-Webb (4-2).
• Leading Holy Cross at the plate is junior first baseman Taylor Moss with a .500 batting average and .571 slugging percentage. In five games played, she has posted seven hits and six RBIs.
• Joining Moss in leading the Crusaders’ offense is senior second baseman Emily Krisanda who has notched at least one hit in five straight games for eight hits total and a .444 batting average.
• Seeing the most time in the circle has been sophomore pitcher Alexandra Held, who leads Holy Cross with a 3.44 earned run average and a 2-0 record.
• Head coach Jen Lapicki is in her first year at the helm of Holy Cross.

SCOUTING THE PANTHERS

• Florida International is off to an 11-5 start and will compete in five games at the Citrus Classic II in Orlando, Fla. prior to facing the Crusaders at the Florida Gulf Coast Invitational.
• Holy Cross is 0-6 when facing Florida International, having most recently taken on the Panthers two times last season at the Panther Invitational.
• Jackie Schoff leads the way for the Panthers with a .462 batting average, 24 hits and a .558 slugging percentage in 16 games played.
• In the circle, Abby Summers leads Florida International with a 1.52 earned run average, one save, 22 strikeouts and a 4-0 record.
• Gator Rebhan is in his third season as head coach of Florida International.

SCOUTING THE EAGLES

• Florida Gulf Coast is 8-7 this year with a 7-3 home field record and will play four games at the UCF Spring Fling Tournament before hosting Holy Cross.
• The Crusaders and the Eagles will be meeting for the first time.
• Kelsey Huff leads the way for Florida Gulf Coast at the plate, owning a .404 batting average with 21 hits, 13 RBIs, a .558 slugging percentage and three triples.
• Riley Randolph has seen the most time in the circle, holding a 2.31 earned run average with a 4-2 record and 29 strikeouts.
• Head coach David Deiros is in his 14th season as head coach of the Eagles with a 544-268-3 record.

SCOUTING THE CARDINALS

• Ball State is 3-11 and will take on five teams in the USF Under Armour Showcase before heading to Florida Gulf Coast to face the Crusaders.
• Holy Cross and Ball State will be competing for the first time.
• Janae Hogg leads the Cardinals’ offense with a .359 batting average, 14 hits and a .538 slugging percentage.
• Darcie Huber has seen the most time in the circle for Ball State, throwing for a 2.93 earned run average, 29 strikeouts and a 3-3 record.

KEEP CONNECTED:

• The Holy Cross softball team will be posting live video segments and telling thier stories on Snapchat from Mar. 6-10. Get a sneak peak behind the trip on Snapchat! 
• Follow the Crusaders on Twitter @HCrossSoftball and on Facebook. You can also get the latest news and results on the team sent directly to your e-mail. To sign up for e-mail alerts go here.