by Donald Barrett, junior writer

Jesuit 7 – Holy Cross 3

Senior left-hander Davis Martin (1) pitched 5 1/3 innings, striking out five batters and allowing only two runs.

In their district debut against Holy Cross on Tuesday night, the Blue Jay baseball team surged ahead in the fifth inning on an electric, two-out rally that scored five runs on five hits, ultimately leading to a 7-3 victory.

Senior Marc Theberge (3) lays out to make the grab in the top of the third.

In the first two innings, the score held steady at 0-0 as a result of even game-play from both sides.  It was not until the third inning that the Blue Jays began to show off their athletic finesse.  The team opened the inning with the first of five strikeouts pitched by senior Davis Martin (1).  This momentum continued with a stellar catch by senior Marc Theberge (3), who leapt into the air to catch a fly ball. Martin then brought the top of the third to a close with his second strike out.

At the top of the fourth, Holy Cross mounted an attempt to take the lead, and the Blue Jays felt the pressure of two runners on first and second base.  An excellent catch in the outfield by senior Stephen Sepcich (27), however, safely closed the top of the inning, leaving the game scoreless.

The Blue Jays continued with the success of the previous inning’s offense with a single for Sepcich and a steal for Theberge.  Eventually the filled bases and a ground-out allowed senior Nick Ray (12) to score the team’s first run of the night.  The Blue Jays later scored again when Theberge made it home on a wild pitch.

Senior Stephen Sepcich (27) rips an RBI double to left-center in the bottom of the fifth.

Leading by two, the Blue Jays then entered an explosive fifth inning.  Although the team allowed Holy Cross to score, the Blue Jays gained five runs on five hits in the bottom of the inning.  Junior Michael Torry (21) began the inning with a single, which Sepcich then followed with a double that sent Torry home.  Marc Theberge continued with an impressive triple that allowed Sepcich to score.  Eventually, a double from senior Sam Ovella (18), singles from freshman Parker Serio (15) and senior Marshall Lee (10), and a steal from junior Matt Alexander (2) cemented the Blue Jays’ lead by three more runs, 7-1.

Junior Christian Hess relieved Davis after 5 1/3 innings, and the team began to focus on defending its lead, allowing Holy Cross just two runs. The offense then came back on with a Micheal Torry single that he followed with a steal. He was left on second at the end of the sixth, and the seventh inning began and ended quickly with a three and out for Holy Cross.

In an exciting and explosive game, the Blue Jays began the season well, gaining momentum as they prepare to face Holy Cross again on Friday at 4 PM at Holy Cross.

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The Advocate – Jesuit opens Catholic League play with a 7-3 victory over Holy Cross