St. Augustine Hermits rally for walk-off win over Eustace Crusaders

Mason Kurelko's two-run homer in the 8th inning lifts Hermits to 5-0 start

Apr. 5, 2026 at 1:04am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The St. Augustine Hermits baseball team came from behind twice to defeat the rival Eustace Crusaders, with Mason Kurelko hitting a two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to secure the victory. Adam Williams forced extra innings with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh, while Franco Iannone drove in two runs for Eustace in the losing effort.

Why it matters

This early-season matchup between two top high school baseball programs in New Jersey's South Jersey region showcases the competitive nature of the local rivalry and the resilience of the Hermits, who have now started the season 5-0 with a dramatic come-from-behind win.

The details

In the bottom of the eighth inning, with the score tied 4-4, St. Augustine's Mason Kurelko stepped up and blasted a two-run walk-off home run to give the Hermits the victory. Earlier in the game, Eustace's Franco Iannone drove in two runs to give the Crusaders the lead, but the Hermits fought back, with Adam Williams hitting a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
  • The walk-off home run occurred in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The players

Mason Kurelko

A player for the St. Augustine Hermits baseball team who hit the game-winning two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Adam Williams

A player for the St. Augustine Hermits baseball team who hit a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning to force extra innings.

Franco Iannone

A player for the Eustace Crusaders baseball team who drove in two runs to give the Crusaders the lead.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We never give up, no matter the score. That's the mentality of this team.”

— Mason Kurelko, St. Augustine Hermits player

What’s next

The Hermits will look to continue their undefeated start to the season when they face off against another rival, the St. Joseph Wildcats, on Tuesday, April 8th.

The takeaway

This thrilling comeback victory showcases the resilience and competitive spirit of the St. Augustine Hermits baseball team, who have now won five straight games to open the season and proven they can win close games against tough opponents.