WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – William & Mary baseball fell to visiting Holy Cross in its season-opener on Friday evening, 4-2. With five of its eight hits coming in the seventh and eighth frames, the Tribe made a late comeback bid which fell just short.

Ben Parker laced a first-pitch single to left centerfield in the bottom of the eighth inning to cut the Crusaders' lead to one, but an errant run in the ninth sealed the game for Holy Cross.

Nate Knowles opened the Tribe's 2024 campaign on the mound in a dominant fashion, allowing only two hits in 3.0 scoreless innings, while tying his career single-game high with eight strikeouts.

A pair of Tribe starters had two hits as Lucas Carmichael belted a double and fifth-year outfielder Joe Delossantos launched a 404-foot missile for the Tribe's first home run of the year in the fourth inning. 

In a highly impressive feat, the entire Tribe offense combined for only two strikeouts. Last year, the Tribe had one three-strikeout game, achieving the mark in the series finale against Elon on April 16, 2023.

Anthony Greco, freshman first baseman, earned his first collegiate hit in his first at-bat.

Owen Pierce threw the final 3.0 innings, allowing only one hit and striking out three without surrendering an earned run.

The Crusaders and starting pitcher Danny Macchiarola each improve to 1-0, while the Tribe drop to an 0-1 record after the first contest. Lovasz was the pitcher of record for the Green & Gold.
 
Up Next
The Tribe returns to action at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17^th as they look to even the series with the Crusaders. 
 
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