SCRANTON - Elk Lake and Holy Cross finally got a break in the rain to get their PIAA District II quarterfinal game in Saturday evening at the University of Scranton. The Warriors scored three runs in their final two at bats, grabbing the 4-3 win.

Dawson Sherman cruised through the first four innings, allowing just one hit. He hit a snag in the fifth as the Crusaders had three hits and scored all three of their runs.

With the game scoreless in the bottom of the second, Holy Cross starter Kyle Cortazar recorded two quick outs before issuing a walk to Noah Gesford.

Sherman followed with a single, keeping the inning alive for Brayden Miller, who smacked a clutch single up the middle, scoring Gesford to put the Warriors up 1-0.

The game remained 1-0 until the top of the fifth, the Crusaders got a leadoff single, followed by a one out walk and a hit batter to load the bases with two outs.

Holy Cross laced back to back singles, scoring three huge two out runs to take their first lead of the ball game at 3-1.

With two outs in the fifth and potentially only seven outs left in their season, senior Braydon McMicken stroked a two out single to left.

Alden Felker reached on an error, extending the inning for Gesford, who delivered possibly the biggest hit of his Warriors career, a double into left scoring both runners and knotting the game at three.

McMicken came on in relief of Sherman, walking the first batter he faced, but then bearing down and retiring the side to keep the game tied.

Senior Logan Ayotte laid down a perfect bunt single with one out in the sixth. After Ayotte stole second, he scampered to third on a passed ball.

Setting the stage for junior Cohen Orlandini to drive in the go ahead and eventually game winning run with a line drive single to left.

McMicken walked one in the seventh, but induced three groundball outs as the Warriors escape with a thrilling come from behind 4-3 victory.

After the game Elk Lake coach Tony Rezykowski had this to say about the win, "Our bats came out a little flat. Their pitcher did a great job keeping us off balance."

"Dawson was struggling to find the zone a bit. In the fifth, Gesford had a huge two out double to tie the game and then in the sixth Ayotte laid down a perfect bunt and Orlandini came through huge in the clutch to knock him in."

Sherman took a no decision, striking out six in his five innings of work. He allowed three runs, on four hits and five walks.

McMicken picked up the win, hurling the final two innings, striking out two, while issuing two walks.

The Warriors pounded out nine hits, with Ayotte and Orlandini each registering a multi hit game. Ayotte scored a run and swiped two bases, while Orlandini drove one in.

Gesford delivered the hit of the night with his two out, two RBI double, he also scored a run. Miller had a single and drove in a run.

McMicken, Sherman and Matthias Morris each had a single, while Felker and Lucas Benscoter each scored a run.

With the win Elk Lake will advance to the semifinals on Monday, May 26 at 1:00 as they host Old Forge.

Coach Rezykowski noted, "We have to play a lot better against Old Forge if we are going to win, but we will be prepared."