It’s never the dream to simply be a quarterfinalist – three wins away from the shared goal of updating a program’s state championship banner. But one loss doesn’t define an 18-win season, especially one that was years in the making.

After winning their second PIAA Class AAAA title in 2023, the Red Raiders maintained much of what made that team special in the runback, and the result was arguably their best regular season in program history. They extended their 2023 win streak to 16 and went on to drop just two games, illustrating the potential repeat once states rolled around.

However, against the best Pennsylvania has to offer, one off game can mean doom. In a two-year stretch that saw Bellefonte win 39 games, its run at back-to-back championships ended on Day One of states, with a 3-0 loss to eventual state finalist Indiana.

Just like that, the Red Raiders were hitting the reset button. Seven seniors graduated following the season, many which were crucial to the team’s recent run of success. Cut to 2026, and just two members of Bellefonte’s state-championship team – seniors Cameron Lucas and Isaac Gall – remained.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte manager Jon Clark high fives Oliver Thornburg (15) as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the District 6 Class 4A championship against Juniata on May 20, 2026.

That didn’t stop the Red Raiders from displaying the ability to hang with the best in the state, however.

In 2025, Bellefonte’s new-look squad had its issues throughout the regular season, finishing outside the top two in its conference standings for the first time since 2021 and carrying a 9-7 record into May.

But it found its footing at the perfect time, winning five in a row, bulldozing its way to states and going on to foreshadow an exciting 2026 campaign. Though it fell in first round of states for the second straight season, it gave more than its all in a rematch against Indiana, going 12 innings against the eventual, one-loss state champ.

“That definitely gave us the power and help to keep moving on. We wanted revenge if we got the chance and wanted to beat them,” said junior outfielder Braeden Fortney on that game following Thursday’s state quarterfinal. “After that, we just worked harder. We’ve been in very tough situations this year, and we got through them. Did pretty well.”

Pretty well, indeed.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Quentin Crouthamel (25) holds onto third after a slide during the District 6 Class 4A championship against Juniata on May 20, 2026.

While the Red Raiders fell one win short of a chance at revenge, to get that close in the first place made this season a special one, for the seniors and team as a whole. They became the first Bellefonte team since 2023 to reach the state quarterfinals, doing so in dominant fashion, and displayed strengths that could rival those of its last state-title winner.

On their way to quarters, Bellefonte outscored Juniata, Obama Academy and Elizabeth Forward by a combined score of 27-2, sounding deep run alarms. Elizabeth Forward not only resides in District 7 – the same district as Indiana – it’s held a candle to the Indians through run of dominance, serving as their toughest district test through the last two seasons.

Even in defeat, they showed tremendous grit, heart and talent.

Bellefonte pitchers Carsen Henry and Zach Lehman combined for six scoreless innings, their field committed zero errors and with three innings to go, the Red Raiders held a 1-0 lead behind a surge led by its No. 9 batter – freshman Alten Howell. And down 3-1 in the seventh, they stood one runner away from loaded bases without an out on the board.

The ‘what ifs’ arguably make the loss tougher, but the effort was another example of how far this team has come in such a short time. Two years removed from losing much of its identity, its newfound identity got it within striking distance of glory, and the result was a memorable 18-5 campaign – another noteworthy bullet point for the storied program.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Quentin Crouthamel (25) runs to first during the District 6 Class 4A championship against Juniata on May 20, 2026.

“Just the ride to even qualify for the state tournament, it meant a lot to the seniors and the team,” said senior shortstop Cameron Lucas on the season. “There’s not much that the team could do, but it was a good way to end the season. It was rough in its areas, but definitely grateful for all the experiences.”

“Each group is its own group, and they were great this year. The senior class set the bar high for us,” said Bellefonte manager Jon Clark. “We had some guys work really hard in the offseason and throughout the summer to be in a position to compete and do some damage out here on the field this year, and they were ready to go.”

It was especially special given who the season was honoring. Esteemed Baseball Booster Club President Toby Capparelle passed away prior to the season, an impactful figure within the community that the Red Raiders considered a part of their team.

“I want to thank the family of the Capparelles,” expressed Lucas. “They were in our thoughts and prayers the whole season. Just trying to do something for the people that are missed and the members of the team who aren’t a part of it anymore.”

WHAT LIES AHEAD

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express The Bellefonte baseball team celebrates a homer from Oliver Thornburg (15) during the District 6 Class 4A championship against Juniata on May 20, 2026.

As is often the case, Bellefonte baseball moves into next season saying goodbye to an impactful group of seniors, a group which stood at the forefront of its quick surge forward through the last two seasons. But despite the departures, there’s plenty of reason for the Red Raider faithful to be excited heading into 2027.

Bellefonte’s junior class has also played a huge role in the team’s success over the last two seasons.

Lehman – a two-year starter – and Triston Heeman headline a sturdy group of starting pitchers, posting a combined ERA under 2.00 and strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.67. And of Bellefonte’s top five batters throughout the season, three were juniors, with Evan Mattern (.430), Lehman (.411) and Braeden Fortney (.403) each batting above a .400 and Parker VonGunden (.310) and Cole Houser (.290) bolstering a deep batting order.

“With the seniors next year, we’ll know mainly the whole team, so we’ll have good connections,” said Fortney when discussing next year’s expectations. “We’ll definitely work hard as seniors, push the team if needed. I think we’ll be a good group of seniors for the team.”

“They’ll be missing a lot, but the junior class has a good, strong group coming back,” emphasized Lucas. “I think they have a chance to go even further than we did this year.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Braeden Fortney (1) slides for first during the District 6 Class 4A championship against Juniata on May 20, 2026.

Don’t be surprised if the underclassmen take a large step forward as well. As a freshman, Alten Howell stepped up on multiple occasions throughout Bellefonte’s postseason run, batting a .500 through the last two games, turning two of those hits into runs and showing an innate ability to turn bunts into singles.

Considering how much the Red Raiders improved from one season to the next, the sky is the limit if they maintain last year’s drive heading into the offseason. Who knows, maybe next year is the year they add a third year to their state-championship banner.