The comeback kids did it again.
The Wolverines rallied for a third consecutive playoff game to knock off South Park 5-2 Wednesday afternoon at EQT Park in Washington to claim the WPIAL Class 3A Championship.
Trailing 1-0 entering the bottom of the sixth inning, Ellwood City used small ball to take the lead as three consecutive squeeze bunts paid dividends for head coach Chris Weisz and the Wolverines.
With the bases loaded and one out Jake Biskup placed a squeeze bunt that was field by South Park starting pitcher Cooper Hochendoer but his throw to the plate was errant allowing two Wolverine runners to cross the plate to give Ellwood City a 2-1 lead. The next two batters, Nate Kennedy and Maykel Cuevas, also laid down squeeze bunts that scored runners from third base to stretch the Wolverine lead to a 4-1 advantage. Geordon Bokor then rattled a RBI single to round out the offensive scoring for Ellwood City.
Aaron Lake induced a game-ending double play to secure the victory and first WPIAL Championship for Ellwood City since 2012.
Ballgame!
Aaron Lake (@lakea_3) gets the 6-4-3 double play to end it as Ellwood City wins the 3A WPIAL Championship!@EC_Wolverines (PA) 2026 · @Pitt_BASE signee
Profile: https://t.co/E8wVw0AMw7 pic.twitter.com/zbWwvc9YPx
— Five Tool Pennsylvania (@FiveToolPA) May 27, 2026
Lake went the distance allowing four hits and three walks across his complete game performance. Two solo homeruns by South Park were the only runs surrendered by the senior and Pitt-recruit.
Lake helped himself at the plate as the senior swatted two doubles offensively while Gino Biondi also added two hits from his leadoff spot.
Hochendoner homered in the first inning and Parris added a solo shot in the seventh inning for South Park. The Golden Eagles fall to 16-6 and will open the PIAA playoffs Monday against District 5 winner Bedford.
Ellwood City (19-3 Overall) will host the District 6 runners-up. The D-6 title game is Thursday between Philipsburg-Osceola and Tyrone.
With its crown, Ellwood City now has six WPIAL Championships (2026, 2012, 2003, 2001, 1968, 1962) good for third most among District 7 baseball teams.
Here’s Ellwood City senior and Pitt recruit Aaron Lake after winning the WPIAL Class 3A title today. Lake was the winning pitcher and hit two doubles. But Ellwood City won the game on three consecutive bunts. pic.twitter.com/kCzmL5vtw3
— Mike White (@mwhiteburgh) May 27, 2026
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