The State College Area and Bellefonte Area high school baseball teams will meet April 8 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, the State College Spikes announced on Wednesday.
For Bellefonte, it’s a return to the site of the Red Raiders’ first ever PIAA Class AAA state championship. Bellefonte defeated Susquehanna Township, 2-0, at Medlar Field last June.
The game will be played after Penn State hosts Big Ten rival Ohio State at 2 p.m.
‘We are looking forward to hosting the Little Lions and Red Raiders at Medlar Field for a memorable matchup after the PSU-OSU game,’ Spikes general manager and Bellefonte alumnus Scott Walker said in a release. ‘The opportunity to host these two storied programs is a great chance to once again grow the game of baseball here in Central PA.’
Fans who purchase a ticket to the game between the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes can stay to watch State College and Bellefonte face off. After the Penn State game ends, tickets just for the high school game will be available at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Ticket Office for $3.
‘We are thrilled to be able to bring a State High baseball game to Medlar Field this spring,’ said State College Area athletic director Peg Pennepacker. ‘It is especially exciting to play a local school like Bellefonte, and this event creates a great opportunity for our program, the school and the community. I hope that everyone comes out to enjoy this game on April 8.’
The Little Lions finished the 2016 season with an 11-9 record and fell to Mifflin County in the first round of the District 6 Class AAAA playoffs. The Red Raiders, meanwhile, started off 1-7, including a 7-3 loss to State College, before going on a 16-4 run en route to the AAA state title.
‘It’s great to see two local programs with tremendous history get an opportunity to compete and showcase the local talent,’ said Bellefonte Area athletic director Jonathan Clark. ‘When you add in the opportunity to play the game at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, it makes it pretty special.’
State College opens the 2017 season at 1 p.m. on March 25 at Williamsport. Bellefonte starts off at home at 4:30 p.m. on March 27 against Huntingdon.
Medlar Field will play host to the state championships again this June as the PIAA expands to six classes. Bellefonte will be moving to 4A and State College will be classified 6A.
