LEWISBURG, Pa. (Interstat) — The Holy Cross Crusaders erupted for nine runs in the final three innings, turning a tight Patriot League contest into a 14-5 rout of the Bucknell Bison on Friday evening at Eugene B. Depew Field.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded under the lights, saw Holy Cross (15-16, 1-0 Patriot) overcome an early pitching duel and a strong offensive showing from Bucknell (18-13, 0-1) to secure a decisive victory in the series opener. The outcome defied pregame projections, as Interstat’s game simulator had predicted a 7-6 win for Bucknell, which held a 53% probability to win according to its ELO system.

The most important sequence of the game arrived in the top of the ninth inning. Leading 7-4, Holy Cross broke the game open by sending 10 batters to the plate and scoring seven runs, all with two outs. The rally started with CJ Egrie’s third single of the game and was capped by Ryan Grundy’s bases-clearing double down the right field line, which drove in three runs. Simon Landry followed with an RBI single to complete the outburst, taking advantage of a Bucknell fielding error.

Holy Cross was propelled by a balanced offensive attack that produced 15 hits. John LaFleur went 3 for 5 with a two-run homer in the third inning and three RBIs. Alex Sandell also homered, a three-run shot in the third that opened the scoring. Egrie finished 3 for 4 with three runs scored and three stolen bases, while Grundy drove in three runs.

Bucknell’s offense was not quiet, tallying 14 hits, but struggled to capitalize fully. Billy Fluharty led the Bison, going 4 for 5. Designated hitter Garrett Mathias provided the early power with a two-run homer in the third inning and added an RBI double, finishing with three RBIs. Ty Lagoni contributed two doubles and an RBI.

The star for Holy Cross was reliever Jake Lenahan, who earned the win with four dominant innings of hitless relief. Entering the game in the sixth inning with two runners on and one out, Lenahan stranded both inherited runners and shut down the Bison, allowing just one unearned run while striking out three. His performance stabilized the game after Bucknell had closed to within 7-4. Lenahan’s outing continued a strong recent stretch, following two innings of work against Army on April 4.

Holy Cross starter Pedro Leon worked the first four innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits with four strikeouts. Bucknell starter Everett Garber took the loss, surrendering six earned runs over five innings. Bison reliever Bryce Mitchell provided a bright spot with a scoreless seventh inning.

The teams will continue the series with a doubleheader on Saturday.