After going 9-8 on the road to start the season, the Bobcats returned to Hamden for the 2023 home opener against Holy Cross. 

The Bobcats took care of business in their first game of the day, beating the Crusaders 5-1.

Sophomore Sydney Horan started on the mound for Quinnipiac and finished the contest going all seven innings and only surrendering five hits and one earned run. This win brings her record to 7-3 on the season.

The energy was visible all game long for the Bobcats, who were noticeably fired up even before the game had started and lineups were being announced. 

Holy Cross looked to strike early, and did, with junior Jessica Mott starting the game with a leadoff double. Mott was able to score off a hard-hit comebacker from freshman Ali Sniegocki, which knocked Horan’s glove off her hand. 

Then, junior Claire McCann singled and it looked like the Crusaders were about to do some real damage. However, Horan shut this down immediately and retired the next two batters to end the top of the first.

Outfielder Mary Fogg and infielder Brooke Hilliard both walked in their first plate appearances. First year Natalia Apatiga then singled and Fogg scored, tying the game 1-1.

The Bobcats were extremely loud from the dugout and there was hardly a quiet moment during the bottom of the first inning.

This energy continued as catcher Hannah Davis check-swung on an inside pitch and pushed the ball down the first base line. Davis was thrown out, but this allowed Hilliard to score, pushing the Bobcats ahead 2-1. Utility player Bridget Nasir kept this going with a single that allowed Apatiga to score once again, making it 3-1.

Holy Cross then turned a much needed double play to end a very eventful first inning.

Both teams then stalemated until the bottom of the fourth when Quinnipiac again made some noise. Outfielder Serena Fogg took a pitch deep to center field for a triple. Senior infielder Lala Pasqual then doubled, allowing Fogg to score from third base. 

Being up 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning may lead to some teams in the same position becoming complacent, but not Quinnipiac.

The Bobcats were feeding off the noise from the crowded bleachers and were putting on a great home opener for the fans. 

The Bobcats continued to take care of business on the defensive side, stranding five Holy Cross runners on base. 

Late in the sixth inning, Bridget Nasir walked and proceeded to reach third base. Pasqual came up big again, hitting a sacrifice fly to left field, allowing Nasir to score. Pasqual finished the game going 2-2 with a double and two RBI. 

Sydney Horan came out firing in the seventh inning and quickly retired the first two batters of the inning. Horan then struck out Kari Jacobson swinging, a fitting end for the Bobcats’ first win in Hamden this season.