Their opponent for Wednesday’s contest was a familiar one in the (6-12) Juniata Indians.

Despite a 45-minute weather delay in the bottom of the first inning, the Raiders got off to a red-hot start, going on to make quick work of the Indians as they completed a 10-0 mercy rule win in five innings.

On the mound for the Red Raiders was Zach Lehman, who turned in a fantastic performance. Lehman pitched a complete five innings in 65 pitches, racking up seven strikeouts and only surrendering three hits.

Meanwhile on the mound for Juniata it was Brady Hack.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte seniors from left, Jack McHail, Carsen Henry, Ollie Thornburg, Quentin Croutharmel and Cameron Lucas, pose with the championship plaque TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte baseball players are handed their championship plaque after defeating Juniata, 10-0, in the District 6 Class AAAA championship at Governor's Park on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Hack was a bit of a surprise choice to start the game, but it seems Juniata head coach Aaron Geedey wanted to try something new. And in the early stages it worked, as Hack’s slowball pitching approach seemed to catch the Raiders’ hitters by surprise, generating a ton of swing and miss and only one run through two innings.

After the second inning, Bellefonte hitters could be seen talking back and forth about Hack’s pitching approach. Whatever was said during that time clearly worked, as they ambushed the Indians pitcher in the third, putting up 5 runs.

“We were seeing a slower pitcher than we are used to,” Lehman said in regards to the team’s early struggle. “We had to adjust and communicate with each other about what we were seeing. And it changed the whole outcome of the game.”

The Red Raiders started the third with a walk from left fielder Braden Fortney, before an RBI single from Evan Mattern drove him in. Then, just two pitches later catcher Oliver Thornburg launched a 2 RBI homer to left field to make the score 4-0.

A Carson Henry RBI single, and Alten Howell RBI bunt single drove in two more as all the sudden Bellefonte exploded out to a 6-0 lead. And despite a pitching change five earned runs would be tacked to Hack, with one run scoring via an error.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Evan Mattern (8) watches his hit as he runs to first during the District 6 Class AAAA baseball championship against Juniata on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Governor's Park. The Red Raiders won 10-0 in five innings.

After that, it was all Raiders the rest of the way, as Thornburg would hit a monster solo shot in the fourth inning, before Bellefonte plated three runs in the fifth to clinch the mercy rule victory.

After the game Bellefonte head coach Jon Clark talked about what it meant to win another District Championship with such a historic program.

“This program had been tremendous long before I was apart of it.” Clark said. “Now that I’m the one in charge, I have always felt like, don’t mess it up and continue the tradition. This group sets the bar for the next group.”

Both Coach Clark and Lehman were adamant, the job’s not finished yet. This Bellefonte team knows they have state playoffs ahead of them.

“The neat thing is, we’re not done this year,” Clark said.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Isaac Gall (21) runs to first during the District 6 Class AAAA baseball championship against Juniata on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Governor's Park. The Red Raiders won 10-0 in five innings.

“The end goal is state championships,” Lehman added.

Time will tell if the Red Raiders will be able to capture their first state title since 2023. But the team that came to play on Wednesday certainly looks the part of a title contender.

Bellefonte 10, Juniata 0 (5 innings)

(DISTRICT 6 CLASS AAAA CHAMPIONSHIP)

Bellefonte 105 13 – 7 11 0

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Oliver Thornburg high-fives head coach Jon Clark as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the District 6 Class AAAA baseball championship against Juniata on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Governor's Park. The Red Raiders won 10-0 in five innings.

Juniata 000 00 – 1 3 1

Brady Hack, Jack Greenholt (3), Daylyn Kennedy (4) and Cam Bargo. Zach Lehman and Oliver Thornburg. W – Lehman. L – Hack.

Top Bellefonte Hitters: Oliver Thornburg 2-3, 2 HRs, 3 RBI, 2 runs; Evan Mattern 3-4, 2 2Bs, 4 RBI, run; Alten Howell 2-3, RBI, 2B; Braden Fortney 0-3, BB, run; Zach Lehman 1-3, 2 Runs, 2B, HBP; Parker VonGunden run; Quentin Crouthamel 1-1, 2 BBs, run; Cole Houser 1-3, run; Carsen Henry 1-3, 2 RBI. Top Juniata Hitters: Daylyn Kennedy 1-2, 2B; Hayden Byrd 1-2, steal; Zak Blessing 1-2.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Oliver Thornburg is greeted at home after hitting his second homer during the District 6 Class AAAA baseball championship against Juniata on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Governor's Park. The Red Raiders won 10-0 in five innings.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Zach Lehman bats as teammate Evan Mattern warms up during the District 6 Class AAAA baseball championship against Juniata on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Governor's Park. The Red Raiders won 10-0 in five innings.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Cameron Lucas throws the ball to a teammate during the District 6 Class AAAA baseball championship against Juniata on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Governor's Park. The Red Raiders won 10-0 in five innings.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Alten Howell (2) tries to beat the out at first during the District 6 Class AAAA baseball championship against Juniata on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Governor's Park. The Red Raiders won 10-0 in five innings.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Quentin Croutharmel (25) secures his base after sliding for third during the District 6 Class AAAA baseball championship against Juniata on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Governor's Park. The Red Raiders won 10-0 in five innings.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte baseball players hold their championship plaque after defeating Juniata, 10-0, in the District 6 Class AAAA championship at Governor's Park on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express The Bellefonte baseball team poses with its championship plaque after defeating Juniata, 10-0, in the District 6 Class AAAA championship at Governor's Park on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.