Crusaders Fall to WVU Potomac State in Season Opening Double-Header

Stephen Buonocore had two hits in the Crusader opener.
Stephen Buonocore had two hits in the Crusader opener.

Keyser, WV- The Crusaders dropped a pair of games on Saturday to the Catamounts of West Virginia University at Potomac State in their opening day doubleheader. 

In the opening game, The Crusaders fell by a score of 12-4. They had seven hits in the opening game by six different players, most notably senior captain, Stephen Buonocore, who went 2-4 at the plate along with one RBI.  Freshman left fielder, Tommy Sullivan, had one hit which resulted in an RBI, and senior Caleb Wilson had one hit along with two runs scored. 

At the top of the 5th inning, the Crusaders trailed the Catamounts 6-1, but the gap was closed to 6-4 off of a Tommy Sullivan single knocking in junior Frank Scarchilli and a hit by Stephen Buonocore which ultimately resulted in two runs by Sullivan and Wilson off an error by the right fielder. The Catamounts then split the game open in a strong display of hitting, scoring five runs in that inning. 

Stephen Bunocore started the game pitching for Christendom, going for four innings before Frank Scarchilli took over for the last two. Each gave up six runs in their time on the mound.

The Catamounts were led by Caleb Taylor, who went 4-5 from the plate, along with Zach Whitacre, who went 3-4. Machugh Messier earned the win with six strikeouts in a little over three innings pitched.

In game two, the Catamounts defeated the Crusaders by a score of 7-2. The Crusader bats went cold, with only three hits throughout the game. Max Henrie had one RBI, knocking in Kevin Dow in the top of the fourth inning. Anthony Palumbo accounted for the other run by the Cusaders, scoring on a passed ball in the top of the sixth inning. 

Kevin Dow started the game on the mound for Christendom, pitching a little over three innings before being relieved by Caleb Wilson. Dow gave up five runs, while Wilson gave up two. 

The Catamounts were led by Graham Brown and Dale Houser, who went 3-4 and 2-3, respectively. Jonathan Money picked up the win on the mound for WVU Potomac State. 

The Crusaders are looking forward to their next contest, which is against Thomas Nelson Community College, it will be an away game in Hampton, Virginia.