Holy Cross extended their losing streak (dating back to last season) to 20 on Monday, dropping them down to 0-15. They were a single run away from ending the streak, but they lost a 4-3 heartbreaker at the hands of the Western Wayne Wildcats. Unfortunately, that's the second time they've come up short against the Wildcats this season, as they also lost their prior matchup 12-8 back in April.
Chase Rutkoski was huge no matter where he played even without the win. He tossed six innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off five hits. That's the fewest hits he has allowed since back in March. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with one home run and two RBI. He also put up a run, which was his first of the season.
Rutkoski wasn't the only one making solid contact as seven players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Charlie Marx, who went 2-for-4 with one run and one double. That double marked the first that Marx has hit this season.
As for Western Wayne, they have been performing well recently as they've won three of their last four contests. That's provided a massive bump to their 7-10 record this season. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory they have posted since March 30th.
Like Holy Cross, Western Wayne also got a great game from a two-way player: Damian Glackin. On the mound, he pitched 6.2 innings while giving up three earned runs off nine hits. Glackin has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Alex Decandis, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with three stolen bases and one run. Those three stolen bases gave him a new career-high. Archer Long was another key player, getting on base in all three of his plate appearances with two stolen bases and one run.
Holy Cross has already played their next game, a 16-1 defeat against Mid Valley on the 7th. As for Western Wayne, they also didn't take long to hit the field again: they've already played their next matchup, a 12-8 loss against Honesdale on the 7th.
