Nonetheless, Bellefonte has continued fighting in hopes of working its way back to 2023’s highs. After finishing 2025 with a 13-9 record, it heads into its return to states having already surpassed that win total by four.

“Last year was a growth year for a lot of our guys. We had graduated 7-8 seniors who had a ton of success, so we had a lot of guys stepping into varsity for the first time, a few in new positions,” said Bellefonte manager Jon Clark earlier this season.

“How we finished last year was much better than how we started. It takes some time, JV and varsity are quite different. But I definitely think having a year of experience for a lot of our guys has benefited us this year.”

Another tough challenger out of District 7 – runner-up Elizabeth Forward (16-6) – awaits. But behind its considerable growth since the end of 2025 coupled with the added luxury of hosting, there’s reason to believe Bellefonte’s quarterfinal drought ends on Monday. Monday’s matchup is set to take place at 4 p.m. at Governor’s Park.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte’s seniors pose with the team’s championship plaque after defeating Juniata, 10-0, in the District 6 Class AAAA baseball championship. The Red Raiders face Elizabeth Forward in the first round of states Monday.

After earning the WPIAL AAAA crown and going into the District 7 final against Indiana having won nine of its previous ten, Elizabeth Forward fell to the Indians, 4-0, to draw the District 6 champ in the first round of states. Indiana – coming off a 2024 Class 4A state title – closed out districts defending its title.

Nonetheless, the Warriors have a lot going for it heading into Monday’s matchup.

Offensively, three of its hitters head into Monday batting above a .350, with seven starters batting above .250. JB Crovak leads the way and is among District 7’s top sluggers, batting a .439 (.712 slugging) and notching a team-high 12 doubles and two homers. Jacob Peterson has hit a team-high four homers, and he and Nate Grimm have combined for 43 RBIs.

Pitching wise, Elizabeth Forward is led by Crovak and Grimm, with Crovak being the most likely starter and both combining for an 11-2 record.

As it stands, Crovak has a 1.48 ERA and 95 strikeouts on the season, giving up just 15 runs (12 earned) through 56 2/3 innings. Grimm holds an ERA of 3.30 with 49 strikeouts, and Peterson and Luke Ruskay have seen success in over 34 innings of relief work.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte’s Carsen Henry (9) meets with his teammates at the mound during a high school baseball game against Penns Valley earlier this season. The Red Raiders face Elizabeth Forward in the first round of states Monday.

Bellefonte heads into Monday coming off a dominant stint to get to this point, outscoring Juniata and Obama Academy 16-1 through two decisive wins. It notably started the season 7-0 before suffering its first loss to eventual District 6 Class 5A champ Hollidaysburg and has since dropped just three more games by a combined three runs.

“We’ve lost a couple of close ones, but I think we’ve done a good job of being in every game,” said outfielder Evan Mattern on the team’s success earlier this season. “I don’t think there’s been a game where we’ve been out of it, and being in every game puts you in great position to win a lot of games, obviously.”

Bellefonte’s Zach Lehman leads the way on the mound, having tossed a seven-strikeout three-hitter against Juniata and allowing one hit on eight strikeouts through three innings of relief against Obama Academy.

Carsen Henry got the win last Tuesday and has proven consistent as a starter alongside Lehman, and Triston Heeman has a 2.01 ERA through 24 1/3 innings pitched. And offensively, eight of Bellefonte’s starters bat above a .300 – five above a .400, giving the Red Raiders tremendous balance.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte’s Triston Heeman (34) pitches during a high school baseball game against Westmont Hilltop earlier this season. The Red Raiders face Elizabeth Forward in the first round of states Monday.