Agape Freedom Sports LLC

WRITTEN BY: JERIC YURKANIN

One More Game. One More Opportunity. One More Piece of History.

For Ava Schmidt, Peyton Graboske, and the Holy Cross seniors, Thursday is about much more than softball.

It’s about legacy.

It’s about finishing a journey that began years ago on youth softball fields, in batting cages, at summer tournaments, and through countless practices. It’s about one final opportunity to put on the Holy Cross uniform and leave behind something future generations will talk about for years.

Not everyone gets the opportunity to play softball for one of the premier programs in District 2. Not everyone gets the opportunity to wear the Holy Cross uniform and play for one of the most respected coaches and teachers of the game in District 2, Joe Ross.

Thursday will also mark Ross’s first appearance in a PIAA state championship game as a head coach.

If you’ve known Joe Ross, coached against him, played for him, or simply watched his teams over the years, you probably knew this day would come eventually. His teams are always disciplined. They’re always prepared. They play the game the right way. Now, he has an opportunity to guide Holy Cross onto the biggest stage in Pennsylvania high school softball.

One win.

That’s all that separates Holy Cross from history.

While Holy Cross as we know it today was formed through the merger of Bishop O’Hara and Bishop Hannan in 2007, the roots of this program run much deeper. Bishop O’Hara captured a state championship in 2001.

    “Bringing home a state championship to end my high school career would be an incredible feeling. I’ve worked hard throughout my entire career for an opportunity like this, and our team has put in so much work this season. To finish it by winning a state title would be really exciting.” Said Holy Crosses, Ava Schmidt 

She continued: “Going into the game, I’m really focused on locating my pitches. We know they’re a strong offensive team, so there’s very little room for error. At the same time, I have complete trust in my defense to make the plays behind me and get the outs. The key for us is to stay calm, play with confidence, and play our game.”

“Reaching the state championship is always the goal. I don’t think many of us expected to make it this far at the start of the season. We focused on taking things one game at a time, and as the season went on, we started to see the potential this team had. Now we’ve earned the opportunity to play for a state championship.” Eva ended. 

Now, 25 years later, a new generation has the chance to bring another state title home and write its own chapter in local softball history.

And if Holy Cross is going to accomplish that goal, much of the spotlight will shine on Ava Schmidt.

All season long, Schmidt has been the heartbeat of this team.

At the plate, she’s been one of the most dangerous hitters in District 2. In the circle, she’s been one of Pennsylvania’s most dominant pitchers. When the Crusaders needed a big hit, a clutch strikeout, or a leader to set the tone, Schmidt answered the call.

Now the biggest stage awaits.

Standing across from Holy Cross will be a Union Area team that has looked nearly unstoppable all season.

The Scotties enter the championship game with a 22-2 record and one of the most explosive offenses in Pennsylvania. Their lineup is loaded from top to bottom, hitting .429 as a team with 279 hits, 270 runs scored, and an incredible 38 home runs.

Junior slugger Irelyn Fisher headlines the offense with a .556 batting average, 40 hits, 46 RBIs, and 15 home runs. Olivia Williams is hitting .593 with 48 hits, while Olivia Benedict has added 38 hits and six home runs of her own.

The Scotties don’t just hit for power. They pressure defenses with speed as well, stealing 125 bases this season.

But Holy Cross didn’t get this far by backing down from a challenge.

The Crusaders have one of the most balanced lineups in Class A softball.

Peyton Graboske enters the championship game batting .487 with 11 home runs and 38 RBIs. Ava Schmidt is hitting .476 with 39 hits, 13 doubles, and six home runs. Claire Helring, Jules Galella, and McKinley Griffiths have all played major roles in helping Holy Cross become one of the most dangerous offensive teams in District 2.

“It would mean so much to me. Playing in a state championship game alone is an amazing experience, but being able to play next to my best friends one last time makes it even more special. It’s definitely bittersweet.”  Said Holy Cross, Peyton Graboske 

She added: “I’m just going to stay relaxed and rely on everything I’ve been practicing all year. I feel very prepared, not just for myself, but for my teammates too, because of all the work we’ve put in.” 

When these teams take the field Thursday, the biggest battle may come in the circle.

Schmidt has posted a remarkable 21-3 record with a 1.46 ERA and 222 strikeouts in 144 innings. Union Area counters with junior ace K. Shannon, who enters at 16-1 with a 2.46 ERA and 150 strikeouts.

It’s the classic championship matchup.

Power versus power.

Ace versus ace.

District 2 versus the WPIAL.

One team trying to finish a dream season.

Another trying to complete a championship journey.

The reality is that championships are rarely decided by statistics.

They’re decided by moments.

A diving catch.

A clutch two-out hit.

A perfectly executed bunt.

A strikeout with runners on base.

A senior refusing to let her season end.

A community holding its breath with every pitch.

Holy Cross has spent all season creating moments.

Now comes the biggest one of all.

Thursday afternoon, the Crusaders will take the field knowing they are just seven innings away from becoming state champions.

    “It would mean the world to me to win a state championship and bring it back to Holy Cross. Our approach to this game won’t be any different, but this opportunity is really special because we have a chance to make history. The Holy Cross administration, fans, and students deserve this state championship just as much as we do.” Said Holy Cross’s, Lila Kolcharno

She continued: “The resiliency and grit this team has shown have truly been the keys to our success. This group has shown depth and tremendous growth through difficult times. The key to winning Thursday is staying consistent, staying confident, and trusting in our abilities.

The pressure will be enormous.

The emotions will be high.

The stakes couldn’t be bigger.

And that’s exactly what makes championship softball special.

Years from now, nobody will remember every statistic from this season.

They’ll remember the journey.

They’ll remember the teammates.

They’ll remember the bus rides, the practices, the playoff wins, and the memories that were made together.

And they’ll remember what happened on Thursday.

My Prediction

I think this game comes down to Ava Schmidt.

Great players rise in big moments, and Schmidt has done that all season long. Union Area has a tremendous lineup, but I believe Schmidt finds a way to keep the Scotties just enough in check while the Crusaders come through with a few timely hits.

Holy Cross has been battle-tested throughout the District 2 and state playoffs, and I believe that experience makes the difference.

Holy Cross 5, Union Area 3

One more game.

One more opportunity.

One more chance to make history.