Saturday, the area welcomed the annual playing of the Happy Valley Hardball Classic. The game hosts two talented local baseball teams from Clinton, Centre and Juniata Counties each year.

In the opener, State College went up against Central Mountain. This time, Mother Nature was kind and kept the rain away for the storied event.

This one had a postseason feel to it, as it would not be decided until the eighth inning. The Wildcats would complete a strong comeback attempt to notch a 6-5 win over a very talented Little Lions team.

“I’ll tell you, it was a tough ball game. We were fortunate to be able to get some key situations that came out in our favor,” said Central Mountain manager Mike Kramer on the win. “Early on, we just, we weren’t coming to the call, and their starting pitcher, Norman, pitched good early on.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Three Central Mountain players participate in the National Anthem prior to its Happy Valley Baseball Classic matchup against State College on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Medlar Field in State College. the Wildcats won 6-5 in eight innings.

“Coach Fravel has a great team. He has them going in the right direction, and he’s got them doing good things,” he added on State College.

In the eighth inning, Watt Probst finished things as he attempted to steal third and the State College throw sailed high into the outfield, ending the contest.

“We told them to continue to work hard,” said Kramer.

“It was hard for us to try to do anything, and we struggled. Then, our guys started to step in and put good bats together, and we strung some bats, started moving some runners, and made some things happen. So, I was pleased to see that.”

State College opened up the scoring in the top of the first. After two quick strikeouts from Central Mountain pitcher Austin Frank, the Little Lions used some two-out lightning.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain's Watt Probst runs for first during a Happy Valley Baseball Classic matchup against State College on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Medlar Field in State College. the Wildcats won 6-5 in eight innings.

Connor Kulka doubled to the deep outreaches of right centerfield. Jake Hall followed with a walk. Then, designated hitter Davonte Hardison brought in Kulka with a smash into right field.

That would be all State College would manage as the Wildcats got the third out. The Central Mountain bats then went down quietly in their first at bats going 1-2-3.

Offensively, the Little Lions bats were back at it in the second.

Lead off hitter Roman Walker started with a single to left. He moved up two bases on a Wildcats miscue. He scored on a single to left by Mike Powell, upping the lead to two.

Powell was sent into scoring position when Ryder Walker singled back up the middle. Central Mountain picked off Walker but it was enough time on the play for Powell to scurry home.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain's Darius Shade reels in an out in the outfield during a Happy Valley Baseball Classic matchup against State College on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Medlar Field in State College. the Wildcats won 6-5 in eight innings.

In the third, the State College bats once again produced runs.

Kulka singled into left field for his second hit of the game. Hall again walked. Central Mountain got the next two outs before the Little Lions pulled a double steal successfully.

Roman Walker was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Then, a walk from Mike Powellbroight got Kulka home, extending the State College lead to 4-0.

The Wildcats attempted to chip into the lead in their part of the third.

Austin Andrus led off the inning with a walk. He was accompanied on base by Felix Oquendo who also walked.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain's Miller Hayes (1) reels in an out and attempts to avoid a collision during a Happy Valley Baseball Classic matchup against State College on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Medlar Field in State College. the Wildcats won 6-5 in eight innings.

Blake Walker loaded the bases with a walk as well. And Watt Probst brought in Andrus as he notched an RBI walk, giving the Wildcats their first run of the game cutting to a 4-1 contest.

The State College bats were relentless. In the fourth, Cam Madatinger singled back up the middle and scored on a triple to the gap by Kulka, upping the lead to 5-1.

But from there, the tide began to turn. The Wildcats refused to go away without a fight and offensively, they’d get things going offensively in the fifth.

There, Central Mountain added a run to cut back into the lead, making it a 5-2 contest on an RBI single from Aidan Jones.

State College looked to add some insurance runs in the top of the sixth to pad their lead. The Little Lions loaded the bases without an out and looked in great shape.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain's Felix Oquendo makes contact on a pitch during a Happy Valley Baseball Classic matchup against State College on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Medlar Field in State College. the Wildcats won 6-5 in eight innings.

But reliever Josh Ludlow took care of the State College batters, striking out three in a row and keeping the game within striking distance at 5-3.

Andrus led off the sixth with a long single and advanced to third on a single from Luke Nonemaker. Nonemaker was switched on the base paths by Yafran Sanchez. Both advanced a base on a wild pitch.

Sanchez scored on an RBI bunt by Felix Oquendo. On the throw, the ball shot over the first basemen’s head, moving Oquendo up to second.

Oquendo moved to third on a fielder’s choice, only 90 feet away from tying the game. Blake Walker kept the inning going as he was hit by a pitch. Then, Wyatt Probst tied the game at 5-5 as he hit a fielders choice up the middle, scoring Oquendo.

In the eighth inning, Blake Walker walked to start the stanza but was gunned down at the plate on a Watt Probst double.

With two outs, Probst stole third before ending the game. The throw to tag him out sailed into left field, allowing Probst to score and granting Central Mountain the exciting, 6-5 victory.

HAPPY VALLEY BASEBALL CLASSIC

Central Mountain 6, State College 5 (8 innings)

SC 121 100 00 – 5 12 4

CM 001 013 01 – 6 8 3

WP: Josh Ludlow. LP: Michael Yourey.

Top State College hitters: Connor Kulka 3-for-3 2B, 2 runs, RBI; Ethan Prenatt 2-3. Top Central Mountain hitters: Aidan Jones 2-4, RBI.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express A Central Mountain batter attempts to bunt during a Happy Valley Baseball Classic matchup against State College on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Medlar Field in State College. the Wildcats won 6-5 in eight innings.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express A Central Mountain runner dives for a base during a Happy Valley Baseball Classic matchup against State College on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Medlar Field in State College. the Wildcats won 6-5 in eight innings.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain's Blake Walker (10) prepares to reel in a ball on an attempted out during a Happy Valley Baseball Classic matchup against State College on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Medlar Field in State College. the Wildcats won 6-5 in eight innings.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain relieving pitcher Dane Hanna prepares to pitch during a Happy Valley Baseball Classic matchup against State College on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Medlar Field in State College. the Wildcats won 6-5 in eight innings.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain starting pitcher Austin Frank pitches during a Happy Valley Baseball Classic matchup against State College on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Medlar Field in State College. the Wildcats won 6-5 in eight innings.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express The Central Mountain baseball team huddles up prior to its Happy Valley Baseball Classic matchup against State College on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Medlar Field in State College. the Wildcats won 6-5 in eight innings.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain runners prepare to run during a Happy Valley Baseball Classic matchup against State College on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Medlar Field in State College. the Wildcats won 6-5 in eight innings.