Crusaders Catch Fire Late, Schmidt Hits Milestone in Rout of Riverside
By: Justin Bradley | SportzWire | April 28, 2026 | Photo courtesy Team submission
Holy Cross used a huge fourth inning to pull away from Riverside and cruise to an 11-1 victory.
Riverside grabbed the early lead in the top of the first when Kate Reynolds lifted a sacrifice fly to score the game’s opening run.
The Crusaders answered in the third after Peyton Graboske lined an RBI double down the left field line to even the score at 1-1.
Then came the turning point.
Holy Cross exploded for eight runs in the fourth inning, sending the offense into full rhythm. Ava Schmidt started the rally with an RBI double, Jules Galella cleared the bases with a grand slam to left field, Claire Helring followed with a solo homer, Maya DeSantis added an RBI double, and Keira Bauman chipped in with a run-scoring single.
The Crusaders tacked on two more runs in the fifth to secure the mercy-rule victory.
Schmidt also handled business in the circle, allowing just three hits and one run across five innings while striking out five and not issuing a walk. She also reached the 100-career hit milestone, adding another highlight to an already strong afternoon.
Holy Cross totaled 15 hits and played a clean defensive game without committing an error.
Galella led the offense with three hits and five RBIs, while Schmidt, Lila Kolcharno, Graboske, and DeSantis each recorded multiple hits.
Riverside received hits from Reynolds, Shelby Lewis, and Emily Chilek, with Reynolds driving in the team’s lone run.
Once Holy Cross broke through in the fourth, the Crusaders were in complete control.
Player of the Game
Jules Galella – Holy Cross
4 AB | 1 R | 3 H | 5 RBI
Came through with the biggest swing of the day on a grand slam that changed the game.
Holy Cross Top Performers
- Ava Schmidt: 4 AB, 2 R, 2 H, 1 RBI (100th career hit)
- Jules Galella: 4 AB, 1 R, 3 H, 5 RBI
- Peyton Graboske: 3 AB, 2 H, 2 RBI
- Lila Kolcharno: 3 AB, 3 R, 2 H, 1 BB
- Maya DeSantis: 3 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 1 RBI
- Claire Helring: Solo HR, RBI hit
Riverside Top Performers
- Kate Reynolds: 1 AB, 1 H, 1 RBI
- Shelby Lewis: 2 AB, 1 H
- Emily Chilek: 2 AB, 1 R, 1 H
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