WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross softball team 2023 season came to an end with a 4-1 setback to nonconference opponent Bryant Wednesday evening on Freshman Field.

The loss wraps up the Crusader win-loss record at 15-36-1 while the Bulldogs move to 16-26 with the victory.

Freshman shortstop Anna Brait extended her reached base streak to 14 games in a 1-for-2 showing. During the streak, Brait is hitting is slashing .447/.571/.658 during the streak with more walks (10) than strikeouts (5), five doubles, five runs scored, a home run and 10 RBI.

For the season, Brait's team-leading 55 hits tie for second all-time during a single season in program history. Her 29 RBI deadlock for fourth most in a single season while her 22 walks also rank fourth.

Junior Jessica Mott tallied the most at-bats during a season in team annals with 169 besting her previous team record of 162 set in 2022. Her 14 doubles tie for fourth on the single-season list while her 31 runs scored also level for fourth.

Over her collegiate career, Mott's 28 career doubles rank tie for seventh on the program's all-time list and she is 12 away from becoming the program's all-time leader which could possibly happen next season.

STARTING IN THE CIRCLE:

• Kylie Kenney: W, (11-10), complete game, five hits allowed, earned run, walk, five strikeouts.
• Freshman Sophia Roncone: L, (6-19), 4.1 innings pitched, one hit allowed, three earned runs, seven walks, three strikeouts.

IN RELIEF:

• Junior Megan Yurchick: 2.2 innings pitched, two hits allowed, run scored, two walks, four strikeouts.

STEPPING TO THE PLATE:

• Aleix Hudson: 1-for-3, double, walk, two runs scored.
• Megan Marcel: 1-for-2, home run, two walks, run scored.
• Jenna Gardner: 1-for-3, RBI walk, two stolen bases.
• Freshman Anna Brait: 1-for-2.
• Senior Olivia Eckelman: 2-for-2, double.
• Junior Morgan Jensen: 1-for-2, RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• With two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the fourth, a hit by pitch resulted in the first run crossing the plate to put Bryant ahead 1-0 early.
• A walk combined with a two-run homer by Megan Marcel, the first hit of the game for the guests added to their lead at 3-0 in the top of the fifth.
• A double and a single to left field added insurance in the top of the seventh.
• Holy Cross rallied with the rain falling in the bottom of the seventh. Senior Peyton Morehouse worked a walk and was lifted for a pinch runner. Eckelman followed by doubling down the left field line just out of the reach by the Bryant third baseman to put runners and second and third with one down. Jensen drilled a hitter's count single up the middle to bring home the Crusaders first run. Kenney settled down and got the final two outs of the game.

 
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