HAMILTON – Colgate used a late rally to erase a five-run deficit and Virginia Irby scorched a walk-off single to complete the comeback as the Raiders defeated Holy Cross 6-5 in the rubber match of the three-game series Sunday at Eaton Street Field.
 
Trailing 5-0 in the bottom of the sixth, back-to-back singles from Meghan Romero and Mia Guevarra started the Raider rally. Nicole Rounsavill then launched the first pitch she saw towards the wall in right to score Colgate's first run of the contest.
 
Holy Cross ace Kelly Nelson entered for the save opportunity and grabbed two outs before Christiana Cottrell came up with a clutch two-out, two-run single down the left field line to cut the margin to 5-3.
 
The Raiders kept the pedal down in the seventh, clawing back to tie the game. Irby worked a one-out walk and advanced to second on a base hit by Romero. With two outs, Rounsavill took a full-count offering from Nelson and smashed a two-run double to left center to send the game to extra innings, 5-5.
 
Strong defense helped Jessica Hay, who was making her second appearance in the circle, escape the top of the eighth unscathed. A double play ended the top of the ninth to set the stage for another Colgate rally in the home half.
 
Rebecca Johnson led off the frame and laid down a perfect bunt, forcing an errant throw and advancing all the way to third base representing the winning run. She crossed the plate one batter later, as Irby drilled a walk-off single to left field to complete the comeback and clinch the series for the Raiders, 6-5.
 


Romero and Rounsavill finished with three hits apiece to lead the Raiders offensively. Hay started in the circle and went five-plus innings before returning in the eighth to pick up the win and improve to 7-9 on the season.
 
The game was scoreless until the fourth when Holy Cross jumped out to a 2-0 lead.
 
Crusader starting pitcher Alexandra Held kept Colgate's bats quiet and the visitors padded their lead with three runs in the top of the sixth before the Raiders mounted their comeback in the bottom of the sixth.
 
BOTTOM LINE
Colgate 6, Holy Cross 5 (9 innings)
 
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate improved to 20-22 overall and 5-7 in league action.
• Holy Cross dipped to 9-30 on the season and 2-10 in league play.
 
FROM THE SOURCE
• Colgate head coach Marissa Lamison-Myers:

"We've had our backs against the wall several times this season, and I just wanted our girls to battle. Nicole is the one we want in these types of situations; she thrives under pressure. Christiana had a key hit for us too. This type of game shows that no matter what situation we are put in, we have the talent to battle back. We'll have to use this as a rallying tool to gain momentum as we head into the final two Patriot League weekends."
 
KEY RAIDER NOTES
• Colgate now has its most wins since 2011, when the Raiders posted a 27-21 record.
• Rounsavill finished 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored in the win.
• Six different Raiders recorded a hit in the win.
• Hay scattered 10 hits over 6 2/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) to earn her seventh win of the season.
• Bella Crow settled for a no-decision after pitching 2 1/3 innings and yielding one run on six hits.
• Colgate improved to 2-1 in extra-inning games this season.

UP NEXT
• Colgate completes its non-league slate with a doubleheader against Siena on Wednesday.
• Game times are slated for 3 and 5 p.m.