Union Area Ends Holy Cross Season with 7-3 Playoff Victory
By: Carrie Miner Yaple | SportzWire | June 12, 2026 | Photo courtesy Bob Gaetano
Union Area Ends Holy Cross Season with 7-3 Playoff Victory
Union Area struck early and never relinquished control Thursday, defeating Holy Cross, 7-3, in a state softball playoff matchup and bringing the Crusaders' season to an end.
The Scotties wasted little time seizing momentum, scoring twice in the opening inning and adding two more runs in the third to build a four-run cushion. Holy Cross spent the remainder of the afternoon trying to chip away at the deficit, but Union Area always seemed to have an answer.
Union Area collected 10 hits and scored in five different innings, using a combination of timely hitting and aggressive baserunning to keep pressure on the Crusaders.
Junior Irelyn Fisher provided one of the game's biggest swings, finishing 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and a run scored. Emily Ross also enjoyed a productive day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and an RBI. Olivia Williams added two hits, scored twice and drove in a run as the Scotties' lineup produced offense from top to bottom.
Holy Cross finally broke through in the fourth inning and continued to battle, scoring once in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
Senior Ava Schmidt led the Crusaders' effort both in the circle and at the plate. Schmidt turned in a perfect day offensively, going 3-for-3 with a home run, a triple, an RBI and a walk. Her sixth-inning homer provided a spark for Holy Cross, which refused to go quietly.
Jules Galella added two hits and scored twice for the Crusaders, while Peyton Graboske and Claire Helring each contributed doubles.
Despite the offensive push, Holy Cross could not overcome the early deficit. The Crusaders finished with seven hits but stranded several scoring opportunities against Union Area pitcher Korynne Shannon.
Shannon went the distance for the Scotties, scattering seven hits over seven innings while allowing three runs, two earned. The junior struck out eight and walked just one, repeatedly working out of trouble whenever Holy Cross threatened to make the game tighter.
Schmidt matched Shannon with eight strikeouts in the circle for Holy Cross, but Union Area capitalized on its opportunities and benefited from strong defensive play behind its pitcher.
The Scotties finished with a 10-7 edge in hits and committed just one error.
For Holy Cross, the loss closes the book on a memorable season highlighted by another deep postseason run. The Crusaders continued to fight until the final out, but Union Area's fast start and balanced offensive attack proved too much to overcome as the Scotties advanced with the 7-3 victory.
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