BELLEFONTE — The storybook season continues for the Bellefonte Red Raider baseball team.
The Red Raiders rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning for a 5-4 walk-off victory over Hamburg on June 13 in a game played in Scotland.
The Red Raiders (15-11) advanced to their first-ever PIAA Class AAA state title game. They will take on Susquehanna Township at 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 17, at Penn State’s Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. It is essentially a home game for the surprising Red Raiders. Officials at Bellefonte Area High School are asking for parents, students and fans who attend the game to wear red as they try to “red out” Medlar Field in support of the Red Raiders.
It has been a long and winding road for the Red Raiders, who began the season in turmoil. There was a coaching change in the offseason followed by a slow start.
Somehow, someway, the Red Raiders battled through it all. Their journey to the school’s first-ever PIAA state title game game has not been easy.
On June 6, the Red Raiders pulled off a surprising 2-1 victory over WPIAL champion Chartiers Valley. The victory took place at Fox Chapel High School, esentially a home game for Char Valley. In the next round, the Red Raiders posted a thrilling 1-0 victory over Erie Cathedral Prep, another upset.
Into the semifinals they went.
The Red Raiders trailed in the final frame before some heroics from senior Storm Smith. His two-run double propelled his squad into the title tilt.
IF YOU GO
What: PIAA Class AAA baseball state title game
Where: Medlar Field at Lubrano Park
When: Friday, June 17, 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: Available at the gate
More info: www.piaa.org
