.jpg "Grand Slam Showcase: Galella, Schmidt Power Holy Cross to 15-2 Win")
Grand Slam Showcase: Galella, Schmidt Power Holy Cross to 15-2 Win
By: Brad Loff | Sportzwire | March 28, 2025 | Photo courtesy Team
It was a fireworks show at the plate for Holy Cross as the Crusaders exploded for 15 runs in a dominant 15-2 win over West Scranton Friday evening. Sophomore Jules Galella delivered the game’s first big moment with a towering grand slam in the fifth inning, driving in four of her team’s first seven runs. But the Crusaders didn’t stop there—they piled on eight more in the sixth, finishing things early via the mercy rule.
Galella’s slam was one of two bases-loaded bombs in the game for Holy Cross. Ava Schmidt matched the feat in the sixth, launching a grand slam of her own to left field, capping off a huge inning that saw contributions up and down the lineup. The sixth also featured a two-run double from Megan Hassaj and an RBI double by Claire Helring, followed by a bases-loaded walk to Gianna Coroniti.
Schmidt wasn’t just a force at the plate—she was equally dominant in the circle. The right-hander threw a complete-game gem, scattering five hits over six innings while striking out nine and walking three. Her presence helped hold West Scranton to just two early runs, both of which came in the first inning off a two-RBI double by B. Markovitch.
From there, it was all Crusaders. Holy Cross totaled 15 hits, led by a 3-for-4 performance from Lila Kolcharno. Schmidt added a 2-for-5 showing with a team-high five RBIs. Hassaj, Helring, and Mia Galella each tallied two hits, while Chloe Mendicino reached base twice via walk, helping drive the offense’s patience at the plate. The team drew seven walks in total.
Defensively, the Crusaders were locked in—flawless in the field and highlighted by a double play and steady play from Peyton Graboske, who recorded a team-high nine chances. West Scranton also played clean defense and turned a double play of their own, but struggled on the mound. Starter K. Connor was solid through three innings, giving up just one run on two hits, but reliever S. DeLuca couldn’t find her footing, allowing 14 runs on 13 hits over two innings.
M. Keenan stood out for West Scranton, going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with the Crusaders’ onslaught.
Holy Cross (1-0) will look to stay hot when they return home on Wednesday to face Lakeland.
Top Performers – Stat Breakdown:
Holy Cross
• Jules Galella: 1-for-4, HR (Grand Slam), 4 RBI
• Ava Schmidt: 2-for-5, HR (Grand Slam), 5 RBI; 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 9 K, 3 BB
• Lila Kolcharno: 3-for-4, 2 R
• Megan Hassaj: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
• Claire Helring: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI
• Mia Galella: 2 H
• Gianna Coroniti: RBI (BB)
• Chloe Mendicino: 2 BB
• Team Totals: 15 H, 7 BB, 0 Errors
West Scranton
• M. Keenan: 3-for-3
• B. Markovitch: 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI
• A. Christino: 1 H
• R. DeLeo: 1 H
• K. Connor: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 K, 3 BB
• S. DeLuca: 2 IP, 13 H, 14 ER, 0 K, 4 BB
• Team Totals: 5 H, 2 R, 0 Errors, 1 Double Play
