Elk Lake Surges Late to Edge Holy Cross 4-3 in Playoff Thriller
By: Brad Loff | Sportzwire | May 25, 2025 | Photo courtesy Chastity Felker
In a thrilling back-and-forth battle on Saturday, the Elk Lake Varsity Warriors staged a late rally to edge the Holy Cross Varsity Crusaders 4-3 on the road. Down by two entering the sixth, Elk Lake scored three unanswered runs over the final two innings to seal the dramatic win.
Brayden Miller opened the scoring in the second inning with a sharp RBI single that gave the Warriors a 1-0 lead. Holy Cross responded with a big fifth inning, highlighted by RBI singles from AJ Piestrak and Tyler Musso, swinging momentum in the Crusaders’ favor as they took a 3-1 lead.
But Elk Lake wasn’t done. In the top of the sixth, Noah Gesford delivered the game-tying blow—a clutch two-run double to right-center that knotted the score at 3-3. One inning later, Cohen Orlandini came through with the game-winning RBI single, driving in the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh.
On the mound, Dawson Sherman started for Elk Lake and battled through 5.0 innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits while striking out six. He was relieved by Braydon McMicken, who shut the door with 2.0 hitless innings, striking out two and earning the win in relief.
The Warriors scattered nine hits across the lineup. Orlandini and Logan Ayotte both went 2-for-3, with Ayotte also swiping two key bases. Gesford went 1-for-2 with a double, two RBI, and a pair of walks to power the offense from the heart of the order.
For Holy Cross, Tyler Musso went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Piestrak chipped in with a run-scoring single. Freddy Ceccacci showed patience at the plate, drawing three walks. Despite drawing seven walks and leaving eight on base, the Crusaders couldn’t capitalize late as Elk Lake’s bullpen held strong.
The Warriors also showed sharp discipline in the field, committing just one error to Holy Cross’s two in a clean and composed defensive performance.
Top Performers – Stat Breakdown
Player | Team | AB | H | RBI | BB | SB | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cohen Orlandini | Elk Lake | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Game-winning RBI single |
Logan Ayotte | Elk Lake | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Speed threat on base paths |
Noah Gesford | Elk Lake | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Game-tying double |
Brayden Miller | Elk Lake | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | First RBI of the game |
Tyler Musso | Holy Cross | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Led team in hits |
AJ Piestrak | Holy Cross | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | RBI single in fifth inning |
Freddy Ceccacci | Holy Cross | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | Led game in walks drawn |
