Agape Freedom Sports LLC

In a small-school matchup that carried a big-game atmosphere from the very first pitch, Holy Cross and Mid Valley met again Thursday night under the lights.

But before we get into how this one unfolded, let me ask you one question.

Do you believe in magic?

Or maybe it is luck.

Or maybe sometimes, in sports, certain moments have a strange way of finding the same players again, like déjà vu wearing cleats. Like the game itself remembers. Like some things are just meant to happen.

Let get started, so Mid Valley, a 3A program that had to reload after losing several key pieces from last year’s infield, came in at 14-2. Holy Cross, a team that only had to replace a few players from last season, entered the night at 13-2.

Two talented teams. Two programs with championship expectations. Two dugouts that understand exactly what games like this mean in May.

And after watching these two battle once again, it is starting to feel like another possible league championship collision course could be coming, just like last season.

But before we even get into how this game unfolded, we need to talk about something that is becoming a Holy Cross tradition.

Jules Galella birthday week.

The temperature dipped below 50 degrees Thursday night. A chilly breeze pushed across the field. The kind of night where the metal bats sound louder, the crowd pulls hoodies tighter, and every big moment feels amplified under the lights.

Cold softball weather.

But honestly, it still felt warmer than the unforgettable night these two teams played almost exactly one year ago on May 5, 2025.

I remember that game.

Clouds covered the sky all evening. Rain lingered through the night. By the final inning, temperatures had dropped into the mid-40s. It was cold, wet, uncomfortable, and absolutely not ideal softball weather.

Yet somehow, it became one of those games people still talk about.

Holy Cross trailed 6-5 in the bottom of the seventh inning with one out. The game hanging in the balance. Players cheering their teammates on. Parents holding their breath. Every pitch carrying pressure.

Then Jules Galella stepped into the batter’s box.

May 5, 2025.

Her 16th birthday.

And Jules made sure her birthday ended with a celebration.

She ripped a line-drive single into center field. Lila Kolcharno scored. Mia Galella raced home behind her.

Walk-off.

Holy Cross 7. Mid Valley 6.

A birthday moment. A comeback victory. A memory that still feels fresh one year later.

And somewhere after that game, you know there were probably late-night conversations between Jules and her sister Mia, now playing softball at Boston College, reliving every second of that unforgettable finish.

Fast forward to Thursday night, May 7th.

Two days after Jules’ birthday.

And somehow… it almost felt like déjà vu all over again.

Like a softball version of the movie Groundhog Day.

Same rivalry. Same pressure. Same cold air. Same big moment waiting to happen. Birthday week. 

You could almost feel it building as the innings moved along.

The game was tied 1-1 in the fifth inning. A pitcher’s duel. Every run mattered. Every at-bat felt bigger than the last.

Bauman struck out swinging for the first out.

Fitzpatrick worked a walk.

Ava Schmidt lined a single into left field.

Kolcharno struck out looking.

Two outs.

And once again, the pressure found Jules Galella.

You could almost imagine the memories replaying in her head as she walked toward the plate. That walk-off from a year ago. The feeling. The confidence. The belief that some players somehow become different when the moment gets big enough.

Holy Cross needed a hit.

The game was tied.

Two runners on.

Two outs.

And after losing the first matchup against Mid Valley earlier this season, this felt like one of those swings that could completely change the night.

Then it happened.

Jules Galella launched a line-drive homer to center field.

The dugout exploded.

Fitzpatrick scored.

Schmidt scored.

Just like that, Holy Cross jumped in front 4-1.

Eventually Mid Valley added another run to cut it to 4-2, and Holy Cross later added an insurance run on a wild pitch to make it 5-2.

But make no mistake about it.

Galella’s three-run blast changed the entire game.

If that swing turns into a harmless fly ball or routine out, maybe this game drifts into extra innings. Maybe momentum shifts. Maybe the ending looks completely different.

But great players have a way of remembering past moments and using them to fuel the next one.

Confidence matters in softball.

And sometimes players step into the batter’s box not just remembering what they did before… but believing they can do it again.

That is exactly what it felt like Thursday night.

Once again during birthday week, Jules Galella delivered another signature moment against Mid Valley.

This time, it was not a walk-off single.

It was a massive three-run homer that helped seal another Holy Cross victory.

And the scary part for the rest of District 2?

She is only a junior.

There is still more left in that bat. More big moments still waiting in the playoffs. More moments still coming next season.

“Having these big moments give me so much confidence. These are the moments that are so exciting and that keeps pushing our team to stick together through the whole game. Having that hit was very special to be and it brought back the memory from last year on my birthday.”  Said Holy Cross Short Stop Jules Galella.

Remember the name again this spring.

Jules Galella.

But here’s how the game unfolded.

Top 1st Inning — Holy Cross Batting

Ava Schmidt strikes out looking for the first out. Lila Kolcharno draws a walk off Hazleton. Jules Galella flies out to left fielder Marley Morano for the second out, with Kolcharno remaining at first.

Peyton Graboske then works a walk, moving Kolcharno to second. Claire Helring strikes out swinging to end the inning.

Bottom 1st Inning — Mid Valley Batting

Abbey Mackey strikes out swinging for the first out. Marley Morano follows with a strikeout swinging for the second out. Parker Bennett strikes out looking to end the inning.

Top 2nd Inning — Holy Cross Batting

McKinley Griffiths strikes out looking for the first out. Maya DeSantis strikes out swinging for the second out. Keira Bauman also strikes out swinging to end the inning.

Bottom 2nd Inning — Mid Valley Batting

Angela Laskowski flies out to center fielder McKinley Griffiths for the first out. Adriana Davey singles on a ground ball to left fielder Claire Helring.

Frein draws a walk, putting two runners on. Hricenak strikes out swinging for the second out. Ava Hazleton strikes out swinging to end the inning.

Top 3rd Inning — Holy Cross Batting

Emily Fitzpatrick draws a walk to lead off the inning. Ava Schmidt flies out to center fielder Tinney for the first out, with Fitzpatrick remaining at first.

Lila Kolcharno then lines into a double play to second baseman Prisco, who records the out and doubles off Fitzpatrick before she can get back. Three outs.

Bottom 3rd Inning — Mid Valley Batting

Julie Prisco ripped a line drive into right field and raced all the way to third for a triple. During the play, an error by second baseman Lila Kolcharno allowed Prisco to come around and score, giving Mid Valley the early lead.

Mackey strikes out swinging for the first out. Marley Morano also strikes out swinging for the second out.

Parker Bennett draws a walk, but Angela Laskowski strikes out looking to end the inning.

Mid Valley scores one run in the third and leads 1–0.

Top 4th Inning — Holy Cross Batting

Jules Galella strikes out swinging for the first out of the inning.

Peyton Graboske then stepped to the plate and crushed a fly ball to center field for a solo home run, tying the game at 1-1.

“My mindset was expect the change up and adjust to the fast ball. It was very satisfying to contribute for my team and give us huge momentum going forward.” Said Peyton Graboske 

Claire Helring follows with a line-drive single to left field. McKinley Griffiths then pops out in foul territory to first baseman Frein for the second out, with Helring remaining at first.

Maya DeSantis strikes out swinging to end the inning.

Holy Cross ties the game in the top of the fourth on Peyton Graboske’s solo home run.

Bottom 4th Inning — Mid Valley Batting

Adriana Davey grounds out to second baseman Lila Kolcharno, who throws to first baseman Maya DeSantis for the first out.

Frein follows with a line-drive double to left fielder Claire Helring. Hricenak strikes out swinging for the second out, with Frein remaining at second.

Ava Hazleton then pops out to shortstop Jules Galella to end the inning.

Top 5th Inning — Holy Cross Batting

Keira Bauman strikes out swinging for the first out.

Emily Fitzpatrick draws a walk, and Ava Schmidt follows with a fly-ball single to left fielder Marley Morano, moving Fitzpatrick to second.

Lila Kolcharno strikes out looking for the second out, with Fitzpatrick remaining at second and Schmidt at first.

With two runners on and two outs, Jules Galella delivered the biggest swing of the night so far.

Galella launched a fly ball over the left-field fence for a three-run home run, bringing home Emily Fitzpatrick and Ava Schmidt to give Holy Cross a 4-1 lead. 

Peyton Graboske keeps the inning alive with a line-drive single to center field, but Claire Helring flies out to left fielder Marley Morano to end the inning.

Holy Cross erupts for three runs in the fifth, highlighted by Jules Galella’s three-run homer, and now leads Mid Valley 4-1.

“Jules is such an incredible player and in high pressure situations she remains calm and plays like the great player she is. She doesn’t let the pressure of the situation get to her and she goes in with confidence and pulls through.” Said Jules teammate, Ava Schmidt.

  Holy Cross Catcher Peyton Graboske added more about their teammate: “I love being teammates with Jules because we are so similar on and off the field. Jules always delivers in clutch moments if it’s making a huge play at short or having key at bats. Watching her do this is special to me and all my teammates because we’re all each other’s number one supporters.”

“Jules sets the tone for us and has grown to be a good leader. She squared it up to give us a huge lift when we needed some energy. Peyton Graboske continues to just mash the ball. I’m very pleased with our approach offensively tonight. We grinder and made her work” Said Holy Cross head coach, Joe Ross

Bottom 5th Inning — Mid Valley Batting

Julie Prisco grounds out to second baseman Lila Kolcharno, who throws to first baseman Maya DeSantis for the first out.

Abbey Mackey pops out in foul territory to third baseman Keira Bauman for the second out.

Marley Morano strikes out looking to end the inning.

Top 6th Inning — Holy Cross Batting

McKinley Griffiths draws a walk to lead off the inning.

Maya DeSantis pops out in foul territory to first baseman Frein for the first out. Griffiths tags up and advances to third on the play.

Keira Bauman strikes out looking for the second out. Emily Fitzpatrick flies out to right fielder Abbey Mackey to end the inning.

Bottom 6th Inning — Mid Valley Batting

Parker Bennett lines out to left fielder Claire Helring for the first out.

Angela Laskowski pops out in foul territory to first baseman Maya DeSantis for the second out.

Adriana Davey then gets Mid Valley back within striking distance, launching a solo home run on a fly ball to left field.

Holy Cross 4, Mid Valley 2

Frein lines out to second baseman Lila Kolcharno to end the inning.

Ava Schmidt leads off with a ground-ball single to left field. Lila Kolcharno pops out to shortstop Angela Laskowski for the first out, with Schmidt remaining at first.

Jules Galella strikes out swinging for the second out. Peyton Graboske then rips a line-drive double to left fielder Marley Morano, moving Schmidt to third.

Schmidt scores on a wild pitch, and Graboske advances to third on the same play. Claire Helring then draws a walk, putting runners on the corners.

Holy Cross 5, Mid Valley 2

McKinley Griffiths draws a walk, loading the bases. Peyton Graboske remains at third, and Claire Helring advances to second.

Maya DeSantis grounds out to second baseman Julie Prisco, who throws to first baseman Frein to end the inning.

Holy Cross adds one run in the seventh and leads Mid Valley 5-2.

Bottom 7th Inning — Mid Valley Batting

Hricenak strikes out swinging for the first out. Ava Hazleton strikes out swinging for the second out. Julie Prisco also strikes out swinging to end the game.

Ava Schmidt mows down the final three batters in order, doing what she does best and slamming the door shut in the seventh.

“Ava Schmidt once again showed the type of player she is. She is unflappable in the circle. That was a dominant performance!” Said Holy Cross head coach, Joe Ross. 

Ball game.

Final Score: Holy Cross Lady Crusaders 5, Mid Valley Lady Spartanettes 2

“I’m proud of the way our players approach the game. They are locked in on the process and aren’t worried about the results. We keep the main thing the main thing, and the main thing is the team. This was a typical MV- HC game with 2 great pitchers. “ Said Joe Ross.

Holy Cross closes it out in the seventh and earns a 5-2 win over Mid Valley.

While Mid Valley scored 2 runs on 4 hits and played clean defensively with 0 errors. Jules Galella delivered the swing that changed the night, finishing 1-for-4 with a huge three-run homer and 3 RBIs. Peyton Graboske was locked in at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double, a home run, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, and 7 total bases. Ava Schmidt also helped set the tone, going 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored, while Chloe Helring added a hit and Emily Fitzpatrick reached base twice with 2 walks and scored a run.

For Mid Valley, Davey led the offense, going 2-for-3 with a home run, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored. Frein added a double, while Prisco tripled and scored Mid Valley’s other run. In the circle, Ava Schmidt was dominant for Holy Cross, throwing a complete game over 7 innings, allowing only 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned run, 2 walks, and striking out 13. 

“Going into the game my riseball was working very well and I was getting a lot of swing and misses. We started the game with low energy but as the game progressed we gamed more energy which helped me stay focused and locked in throughout the game. “ Said Holy Cross warrior on the pitchers mound, Ava Schmidt. 

Ava continued: “This game says a lot about our toughness and ability to respond to adversity. Even in though and tense situations our bond on the team allows us to play our game with confidence. “

Ava Hazleton battled for Mid Valley and also went the distance, pitching 7 innings, allowing 7 hits, 5 earned runs, 7 walks, and striking out 11. Both pitchers competed, both lineups had power swings, but Holy Cross found the louder answers in the biggest moments.

“Both teams are very competitive and very good teams. It is the little things that can win a game like staying up throughout the whole game. Staying together as a team tonight was very big for us because we never let one another down. We picked each other up and knew we could win this game.” Said Jules Galella 

The scoreboard said Holy Cross 5, Mid Valley 2.

But anybody standing around that field Thursday night knows this game felt bigger than just another regular season matchup in May.

It felt like playoff softball.

It felt like two programs measuring themselves against one another again.

Pitch for pitch. Swing for swing. Moment for moment.

You had two elite pitchers battling in cold weather. You had big defensive plays. You had dugouts fighting for energy every inning. You had pressure building as the game moved deeper into the night. And once again, when the moment got heavy against Mid Valley, Jules Galella found herself standing in the center of it all.

Just like last year.

Only this time, instead of a walk-off single during birthday week, it was a towering three-run homer that completely shifted the game and sent another message to the rest of District 2 that Holy Cross is still one of the most dangerous teams around.

And honestly, that is what makes teams like Holy Cross special.

They stay calm in chaos.

They trust each other.

They believe someone is going to come through when the pressure arrives.

Thursday night, that someone was Jules Galella. Again.

But this win was about more than one swing.

It was Ava Schmidt dominating with 13 strikeouts and refusing to let Mid Valley build momentum late. It was Peyton Graboske continuing to crush the softball and provide energy all game long. It was players grinding through tough at-bats, drawing walks, fighting with two strikes, and staying together in a game where every single run mattered.

And on the other side, Mid Valley once again proved why they are still one of the toughest teams in the area. Ava Hazleton competed all night in the circle. Adriana Davey delivered a big swing to keep the Spartans alive. Julie Prisco created pressure every time she got on base. Even in defeat, Mid Valley looked like a team nobody is going to want to face come playoff time.

Because games like this usually do not end after one chapter.

They continue in May.

And sometimes… in championships.

By the time the final strike hit the catcher’s glove Thursday night, the cold air somehow did not feel quite as cold anymore.

Holy Cross players celebrated near the dugout.

Parents slowly exhaled after seven intense innings.

And somewhere in the middle of all that noise, cheers, and emotion, another Jules Galella birthday-week moment had officially been added to Holy Cross softball history.

————————————-

I would like thank all our sponsors and donors this spring!