Bellefonte’s Dominic Capperella pitches during the game against Greater Latrobe in the first round of the PIAA class 4A baseball playoffs on Monday, June 5, 2023.
Abby Drey
adrey@centredaily.com
Centre County’s six playoff baseball and softball teams took the field for the first round of the PIAA State Championships Monday and more than half of them have found themselves in Thursday’s quarterfinals.
Let’s take a look at how the six games played out and what comes next for each team.
Note: All stats via MaxPreps unless otherwise noted.
All three area baseball teams will be advancing to the quarterfinals of the state tournament on Thursday. Bald Eagle, Bellefonte and Philipsburg-Osceola all took care of business, with the Mounties advancing on a walk-off hit by Sam McDonald in extra innings.
Bellefonte’s Peyton Vancas pitches during the game against Greater Latrobe in the first round of the PIAA class 4A baseball playoffs on Monday, June 5, 2023. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Softball
AA Bald Eagle defeats Muncy, 1-0
AA Neshannock defeats Penns Valley, 9-0
AAAA Montour defeats Bellefonte, 5-2
Only Bald Eagle will continue its season among the three softball teams with both Penns Valley and Bellefonte falling in the first round. The Rams lost on the road, while Bellefonte fell at home despite its attempt to come back from a 5-0 deficit.
Bald Eagle Area’s Sierra Albright high-fives the infielders after a strikeout during the game against Muncy in the first round of the PIAA class 2A softball playoffs on Monday, June 5, 2023. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
What’s next
Baseball
AA Bald Eagle vs. Karns City, Thursday, 3 p.m. at Showers Field in DuBois
AAA Philipsburg-Osceola vs. Punxsutawney, Thursday, 5:30 p.m. at Showers Field in DuBois
AAAA Bellefonte vs. Indiana, Thursday, 4:30 p.m. at Mt. Aloysius College in Cresson
Softball
AA Bald Eagle vs. Minersville, Thursday, 4 p.m. at Central Columbia High School in Bloomsburg
All four teams that won will head to neutral sites for their quarterfinal matchups. Bald Eagle and Philipsburg-Osceola baseball will play back to back on Thursday in DuBois.
Tickets for any of the four games can be purchased on the PIAA website.
Scenes from the first round
Bellefonte’s Josh Brown makes the final out of the game against Greater Latrobe in the first round of the PIAA class 4A baseball playoffs on Monday, June 5, 2023. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Bald Eagle Area’s Tayten Yoder hits an out of the park home run during the game against McConnnellsburg in the first round of the PIAA class 2A baseball playoffs on Monday, June 5, 2023. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Bald Eagle Area’s Camron Watkins safely steals second as McConnnellsburg’s Gavin Fowler makes the catch during the first round game of the PIAA class 2A baseball playoffs on Monday, June 5, 2023. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Bald Eagle Area’s Wyatt Coakley pitches during the game against McConnnellsburg in the first round of the PIAA class 2A baseball playoffs on Monday, June 5, 2023. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Bald Eagle Area hosts Muncy in the first round of the PIAA class 2A softball playoffs on Monday, June 5, 2023. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Bellefonte’s Kierra Narehood tags out Montour’s Gia LaBrie during the first round game of the PIAA class 4A softball playoffs on Monday, June 5, 2023. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Bellefonte’s Madison Ripka makes a catch for an out during the game against Montour in the first round of the PIAA class 4A softball playoffs on Monday, June 5, 2023. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Bellefonte’s Carly Clarkson pitches during the game against Montour in the first round of the PIAA class 4A softball playoffs on Monday, June 5, 2023. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Bellefonte’s Taylor Brown hits a single that scores a run during the game against Montour in the first round of the PIAA class 4A softball playoffs on Monday, June 5, 2023. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Bald Eagle Area’s Lex Bainey makes a catch for an out during the game against Muncy in the first round of the PIAA class 2A softball playoffs on Monday, June 5, 2023. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Jon Sauber covers Penn State football and men’s basketball for the Centre Daily Times. He earned his B.A. in digital and print journalism from Penn State and his M.A. in sports journalism from IUPUI. His previous stops include jobs at The Indianapolis Star, the NCAA, and Rivals.
