While the shift from JV to varsity is certainly a step up, Lehman’s varsity debut barely reflected that. Alongside previous Express Player of the Year Peyton Vancas, he played a crucial role in getting the Red Raiders back to states despite a shift in identity.

He led the team in innings pitched (46) with a 3.04 ERA and finished second on the team in batting average (.362). And following the departure of Vancas – a four-year starter, Lehman helped steer the esteemed Bellefonte program to the greatest heights it’s experienced since 2023’s PIAA Class 4A title.

In 2026, Lehman practically mirrored the production he put forth as a freshman at the next level as both a pitcher and batter. The Binghamton commit became the fourth Bellefonte pitcher to surpass 100 strikeouts in program history, the first to do so since Eric Milton in 1992, playing a crucial role in Bellefonte’s return to state quarters and earning this year’s title as Express Player of the Year.

Apart from Lehman, fellow Red Raider Evan Mattern was also considered for the award, alongside Central Mountain seniors Blake Walker and Watt Probst and Bald Eagle senior Teagun Runkle.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Zach Lehman (30) celebrates a state playoff win over Elizabeth Forward. Lehman was named 2026 Express baseball Player of the Year.

From a pitching standpoint, Lehman took what he accomplished as a sophomore and built on it ten-fold. In a heightened role against Bellefonte’s toughest opponents, with many more chances for blemishes, he finished with a 1.75 ERA and 1.029 WHIP in 68 innings pitched, allowing an opposing batting average of .212 against 282 batters.

Of his 15 mound appearances, 12 saw his surpass seven strikeouts – three reaching double figures against Huntingdon, Bellwood-Antis and Elizabeth Forward. He never allowed more than three earned runs in a game, shutting out six opponents, and only allowing more than one walk thrice – to the tune of a staggering 7.643 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

None of those performances were bigger than the one that came against Elizabeth Forward. Not only was that the game that saw him officially surpass 100 strikeouts, but it also occurred in Bellefonte’s biggest win since 2023 – a state win that saw him allow one run, one hit and two walks through 5 2/3 innings pitched.

“He had a really strong performance on the mound (against Elizabeth Forward) and even then, he said, ‘Coach, I missed some pitches, missed some spots,'” said Bellefonte manager Jon Clark on Lehman’s state-tournament performance. “That’s what I love about Zach. Even when he’s successful, he’s super competitive, not just with the opponent, but with himself.”

Outside of pitching, he was also an effective fielder – from the mound, shortstop and second base – posting a fielding percentage of .893 while being a part of three double plays.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Zach Lehman takes his base after being hit by a pitch during a playoff game. Lehman was named 2026 Express baseball Player of the Year.

Batting wise, he logged nine multi-hit outings – two featuring three hits – and scored in 14 games. He led the team in on-base percentage (.537) and walks (17), finished second on the team in batting average (.411), OPS (1.153) and doubles (9), scored 20 runs and bat home 20 runners.

What makes the season more impressive is that there’s still room to grow. While he’ll have considerable competition like 2026, Lehman heads into his senior season as the leading candidate in next year’s Player of the Year race, as he looks to help lead the Red Raiders to even greater heights.

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR – Takoda Ripka, Bald Eagle Area

Coming off Bald Eagle’s state title in 2024, the Eagles struggled to re-establish their identity. An overhaul of key departures left it with an inexperienced, unproven squad, and the result was the program’s lowest win total (4) in multiple decades.

However, promise flared up from time to time throughout the campaign, promise which turned into progress as the squad returned to the field this spring. Much of their 11-win uptick from 2025 to 2026 was due to that development, but another core aspect of it was one key addition: Takoda Ripka.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Takoda Ripka tosses his bat during a district playoff game. Ripka was named 2026 Express baseball Freshman of the Year.

Despite his lack of experience at the varsity level, Ripka started from Day One for the Eagles, helping them close out an opening 1-0 win over Huntingdon from the mound. That poise was foreshadowing for a strong, overall freshman season, one which earned him this year’s honor of Express Freshman of the Year.

Ripka went on to cap the season leading a District 6 Class AAA semifinalist in most hitting categories, including batting average (.382), on-base percentage (.488) and slugging percentage (.485). Those latter two stats were good for a team-leading OPS of .973.

He scored 17 runs, bat 16 home, finished with five doubles and a triple and was among BEA’s most efficient batters with runners on base, only leaving 22 stranded. Of his 21 appearances, 17 featured hits – seven featuring multiple – and his biggest performances came within a one-week span in mid-April.

Against rival Bellefonte, Ripka went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and two runs in a tight, 9-8 victory where every run mattered. Four days later, the freshman posted a career-high five RBIs in a run-rule win over Chestnut Ridge, going 3-for-4 with two doubles.

During the district playoffs, he also made an impact from the plate, logging at least one hit in each game and finishing the span .500 (3-for-6). In the team’s 8-7 win over Central, he went 2-for-3 with a pivotal, fourth-inning run.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Takoda Ripka (22) high fives a teammate during a district playoff game. Ripka was named 2026 Express baseball Freshman of the Year.

Outside of hitting, Ripka was solid as a fielder, finishing with a fielding percentage of .861 on 36 chances while logging a double play against Philipsburg-Osceola.

There were occasional growing pains from the mound, as he finished with a 6.97 ERA, but that statistic was heavily influenced by a 12-run blemish against Bellwood-Antis in March. He struck out four in his lone complete game against Bedford – an 8-4 win – and proved consistent as a closer, holding six opponents to an earned run or less in nine appearances.

Though Bald Eagle graduates a five-man senior class, including Player of the Year candidate Teagun Runkle, returning Ripka, sophomores Riley Bucha and Isaac Johnson and juniors Luke Hosband and Hayden Stimer give the Eagles plenty of promise to build around moving forward. After one season off the map, it’s safe to say BEA is back.

ALL-STARS

P – Blake Walker, Central Mountain

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain's Blake Walker, middle, fist bumps catcher Watt Probst during a district playoff game. Both players were named first teamers on this year's Express baseball all-star team.

After showing flashes as a reliever during his junior season, Central Mountain’s Blake Walker prospered in a heightened pitching role in 2026 while continuing his potent play from the plate.

The senior ace was a big reason why the Wildcats maintained last year’s level of success despite considerable departures and shaky offense at times, finishing among the top of this year’s Player of the Year candidates for a second straight season. Through 35 innings from the mound, Walker struck out a team-high 31 batters while walking just14 and allowing 12 earned runs.

Even with a few blemished performances against Williamsport and Bethel Park, he finished with an ERA of 2.40 and WHIP of 1.400. The Wildcat pitched a five-inning shutout against the Millionaires – a win that helped Central Mountain take home a HAC-I title. He also allowed two combined runs in complete games against Shikellamy and Dubois.

As a hitter, Walker once again led the Wildcats in OPS (1.192) and slugging percentage (.685), logging a team-high three homers and six doubles. In the latter category, he led the entire area by a pretty sizable margin, the second highest being a .627 from Bellefonte’s Oliver Thornburg.

He batted above a .400 (.407) for a second straight season and finished with 18 runs – second on the team behind leadoff batter Felix Oquendo – and 18 RBIs. His best game of the season came in a road win over Selinsgrove, where he posted four RBIs on three hits and fell one triple short of a cycle.

P – Carsen Henry, Bellefonte

In terms of development, it’s tough to find an all-star on this team that rivaled that of Bellefonte senior Carsen Henry this season. The Red Raider went from posting a 5.53 ERA in a relief role as a junior to cutting that down to 1.33 on over double the workload as a senior, playing a big role in the team’s continued rise from the end of 2025.

In 47 1/3 innings from the mound – a 28-inning increase from last season, Henry still managed to cap things off in the single figures in earned runs allowed (nine).

He posted the second-best ERA among area athletes that logged a start this season and first among those that pitched 21 or more innings. Six of Henry’s 12 appearances saw him finish without surrendering a run, and he never allowed more than five (four earned) in a game.

On the season, Henry struck out 45 batters to just 18 walks – good for a 2.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio – and allowed an opposing batting average of .213 and opposing on-base percentage of .294. He was instrumental in getting the Red Raiders back to states, holding Obama Academy to one run through four innings in a 6-1 victory.

C – Watt Probst, Central Mountain

There was a point during the 2026 season where Central Mountain senior Watt Probst stood just one game away from notching a hit in ten outings in a row.

While that’s ultimately where the streak ended, a nine-game, four-week span from the team’s first matchup against Selinsgrove to its last against Jersey Shore, Probst finished as arguably the top hitter in the area. Within an up-and-down offensive season for the Wildcats, Probst was a consistent gem alongside Walker.

On the season, Probst led Central Mountain with 23 hits, good for an area-leading batting average of .451. With those hits and 16 walks, the senior finished first on the team – as well as the area – in on-base percentage (.567). He also belted five doubles for a slugging percentage of .549, closing with a career high in OPS (1.116).

Consistent as anybody in the area when it came to getting balls in play, it took 16 games for Probst to finally be struck out, with Mifflin County’s Cohen Leister being the one to end the streak in Central Mountain’s penultimate regular-season game.

He logged a double in three late games in a row against Shamokin, Bethel Park and Hazleton and managed numerous multi-hit outings throughout the campaign. Of those performances, one came in a tight, 5-4 win over Selinsgrove, where Probst led the team with two hits, one double, one RBI and one run, helping the Wildcats finish as league champs.

IF – Evan Mattern, Bellefonte

Coming off a promising sophomore campaign that saw him bat above a .400, Bellefonte junior Evan Mattern maintained that level of success while upping his slugging skills considerably. He was a huge reason the Red Raider offense finished atop the area in runs per game, leading the team in numerous categories as it reached state quarters.

Mattern finished among the top hitters in the area and was considered for this year’s Express Player of the Year award, leading the entire area in hits (34), RBIs (29) and runs (25) while finishing first on his team in batting average (.430).

With a team-high ten doubles, one triple and homer, Mattern blew his previous slugging percentage (.457) out of the water. He finished second on the team – and third in the area – in the category (.620), as well as OPS (1.115), and constantly stood out amongst a considerable top of the order, matching Central Mountain catcher Watt Probst in terms of batting consistency.

Of the team’s 23 games, Mattern logged a hit in 19 of them. He opened the campaign on a tear with hits in nine straight games, closing the span with a four-hit, four-RBI outing in an 11-9 win over Central Cambria to head into the team’s tenth game with a .600 batting average. 11 of his performances featured multiple hits, including three-hit outings against Huntingdon and Juniata.

Though Bellefonte loses a considerable class of seniors moving into 2027, Lehman and Mattern headline a class that has tremendous potential to build off this year’s quarterfinal appearance. He isn’t even the last Bellefonte junior to be featured on this year’s first team.

IF – Brody Swanger, Sugar Valley

In the wake of an unprecedented era of success for Sugar Valley baseball, Brody Swanger remains its biggest catalyst. For the second straight season, the Phoenix surpassed their highest win total in program history in 2026, with the sophomore captain playing a big role in the program coming within two wins of a district playoff berth.

While his batting numbers dipped a tad following a tremendous, bar-setting freshman campaign, Swanger stayed above a .400 batting average and .950 OPS while improving as a pitcher. If that’s Swanger’s definition of a sophomore slump, the Mid-Penn needs to prepare itself for what lies ahead.

As a pitcher, the Sugar Valley sophomore knocked his ERA down from a 3.86 to 3.00, allowing single-figure earned runs (9) in 21 innings pitched while striking out 1.14 batters per inning. His opposing batting average of .236 and opposing on-base percentage of .346 were massive improvements, indicating increased consistency.

Half his appearances saw him surrender zero earned runs – seven featuring one or less. His best performance came against East Juniata, where he pitched five scoreless innings of relief and struck out eight to help the Phoenix pick up a tight, 8-6 win.

That EJ win also produced his best hitting performance, as he went 3-for-3 for two RBIs and one run – one of seven multi-hit outings for the sophomore.

For a second straight season, he led the Phoenix in batting average (.408) and runs (18), finishing all but four appearances without a hit. And in fielding at shortstop and pitcher, he ended with a fielding appearance above .900 (.927) for a second straight campaign.

IF – Carter Rhinehart, Jersey Shore

Despite an up-and-down season for the Bulldogs, it’s hard to blame the team’s shortcomings on its infield. Statistically, Jersey Shore’s infield was arguably the best in the area in multiple regards, with sophomore third baseman Carter Rhinehart being at the forefront of that success.

As a second-year starter, Rhinehart improved in literally every facet – no exaggeration. Not only did he post career highs in every hitting category – batting, on-base appearances and slugging, he also did so in stolen bases and fielding percentage while leading the Bulldogs in numerous categories.

The sophomore finished first on the team in batting average (.424), slugging percentage (.576), OPS (1.110), doubles (6) and RBIs (18), falling a few ticks short of the same distinction in on-base percentage (.534). At third, he closed with a fielding percentage of .904 with four double plays.

Of the team’s 19 games, he concluded hitless in just five, posting multiple hits in nine outings and three hits against Shikellamy and Selinsgrove. And in a slugfest of a season finale against Milton, he went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run.

With Rhinehart, fellow first teamer Nolen Pauling and second-team all-star Mazden Lupton all back next season, there’s certainly potential in Jersey Shore’s future. If it can build around that proven infield, the sky is the limit.

IF – Nolen Pauling, Jersey Shore

Speaking of Jersey Shore infielders, Jersey Shore’s Nolen Pauling also left enough of a mark to be named to this year’s first team. The sophomore could do it all his sophomore season, finishing among the team’s top fielders, hitters and pitchers while playing a crucial role in Shore’s seven wins.

Notably, he’s the only male athlete this year to qualify for multiple Express first teams, doing so at quarterback in the fall.

Offensively, Pauling led the team in runs with 24 and slugging percentage at .574 and finished tied for first in stolen bases (ten). Like Rhinehart, he saw each of his hitting statistics take massive leaps, turning a freshman batting average of .265 into a .370 and OPS of .778 into a 1.095.

On two separate occasions, he helped lead the Bulldogs to victory over HAC-I foe Shamokin, logging five combined hits, scoring four runs in their first matchup and attributing three RBIs in their second. He finished all but six games with a hit – five with multiple – and scored multiple runs in eight games.

Pitching wise, the sophomore manned to mound more than any other Bulldog in 2026, posting a 2.80 ERA through 25 innings pitched while striking out a team-high 27 batters. And as a fielder – from the mound and shortstop, Pauling posted an .884 fielding percentage with four double plays.

His best game from the mound came against Danville, where he struck out eight and allowed one run off two hits through seven innings. Of his seven appearances at the mound, four saw him only surrender two hits.

OF – Teagun Runkle, Bald Eagle

After bursting onto the scene as a batter and fielder in Bald Eagle’s 2025 rebuild year, Teagun Runkle took things a step further as a senior, improving in just about every facet to help lead the Eagles back to prominence. He proved he could do it all, making an impact as a hitter, fielder and pitcher and warranting Player of the Year consideration.

As a hitter, Runkle notched varsity career highs in batting average (.361), on-base percentage (.452), OPS (.869) and runs (20), leading the Eagles in the latter category alongside junior shortstop Luke Hosband.

He scored in two-thirds of the team’s 21 games, 14 games that saw BEA go 11-3, and logged multiple hits in seven, including two three-hit performances against Penns Valley and West Branch. And in postseason, that impact continued, most notably in a district quarterfinal win over Central that saw him go 2-for-2 and score two pivotal runs.

The senior finished among the area’s most consistent outfielders, as he posted a .957 fielding percentage on 47 total chances. And despite not operating as a starting pitcher since junior varsity, Runkle relished his heightened role on the mound.

Runkle led the team in ERA (2.20), WHIP (1.291), opposing batting average (.193) and opposing on-base percentage (.313) through 28 2/3 innings pitched – the second most on the team behind Kaleb Irion. He finished with 35 strikeouts to 15 walks and surrendered .77 hits per inning and less than ten earned runs on the season.

Due to how many athletes the Express area holds, these all-star teams don’t see athletes take up multiple positions. However, Runkle is one of the few to challenge that rule, warranting consideration at both outfielder and pitcher.

OF – Braeden Fortney, Bellefonte

While the continued success of Zach Lehman and Evan Mattern played a large role in Bellefonte’s jump forward this season, it wouldn’t have been possible with considerable development elsewhere. Junior outfielder Braeden Fortney is among the biggest examples of that, alongside the Red Raiders’ final first teamer.

Following a season that saw him bat a .275 with an OPS of .725, Fortney improved in all regards as a batter in the runback, showing enough progress to take on Bellefonte’s leadoff role.

He was one of four starters to bat above a .400 (.403), finishing third on the team in hits (27) and second in runs (22). And both his slugging percentage (.522) and on-base percentage (.488) saw large leaps, with 12 walks and five extra-base hits – including a homer – helping him surpass a 1.000 OPS (1.010) for the first time.

In 23 appearances, Fortney finished with a hit in all but four, logging multiple in eight while scoring in 15. No performance was more impressive than the one he put together against Bedford, where he went 3-for-3 for a career-high five RBIs and three runs. And he logged four postseason hits, including two against Obama Academy.

Though more discrete, he also improved as a fielder, turning 40 chances into 37 putouts and one assist to finish with a fielding percentage of .950. He left his mark on a team with a notable plethora of standouts, playing a big role in getting Bellefonte back to the Elite 8.

OF – Tobias Conoway, Sugar Valley

Brody Swanger is far from the only reason Sugar Valley’s 2028 class is special. After showing promise as a starting outfielder as a freshman, Tobias Conoway improved considerably in every regard in the runback, joining his teammate on the Express first team as a result.

As a batter, Conoway needed just one season to turn a perennial .300 average into one bordering .400, finishing with a sophomore average of .383. His 18 hits and seven walks helped him finish first on the team in on-base percentage (.491), and he ended second on the team in runs with 16 – aided by a team-leading 19 stolen bases.

From late March to late April, the sophomore scored in nine straight games, most notably going 3-for-3 for four runs in a 15-2 win over rival Bucktail. He logged multiple hits in three of the team’s final five games – performances which fell just short of pushing Sugar Valley into its first playoff bid – and thrived against Mid-Penn competition.

While his relief work from the mound still warrants development, he worked out the growing pains he previously displayed as a fielder. After closing his freshman campaign with three errors, he finished the follow-up without one, going 23 chances without a hiccup and even finishing with a double play.

With Conoway, Swanger and second teamer Bentley Andrus heading into the second half of their promising high school careers, continued progression is certainly a possibility for Sugar Valley’s future. The goal remains the same heading into 2027, as the Phoenix look to clinch a District 4 Class AA playoff berth for the first time in program history.

UTIL – Parker VonGunden, Bellefonte

Rounding out Bellefonte’s impressive, five-man cast of first teamers is designated hitter Parker VonGunden, making four – including Player of the Year Zach Lehman – to qualify with another year left to improve. The junior is one of the many reasons the team’s batting order was sturdy from top to bottom, giving the Red Raiders a spark amidst its second half.

Like Fortney, VonGunden improved considerably as a batter from his sophomore to junior season. His batting average stayed similar, as he increased his number of hits by two. But as a slugger and base getter, he upped his numbers notably.

With three doubles and two home runs, VonGunden upped his slugging percentage from .333 to .524. And with 12 walks, he increased his on-base percentage from .340 to .500.

He was one of three Red Raiders to finish with his slugging and on-base percentage both above a .500, finishing third on the team in the latter. He also posted a career low in runners left on base with 22 and career highs in runs (15) and RBIs (11), both in terms of varsity and junior varsity.

Of his 17 appearances, the most notable came in a tight loss to DuBois, which saw VonGunden go 2-for-4 with four RBIs and a run. He also logged multiple hits against Central, Central Cambria and Tyrone.

With four first teamers set to return next season, it should be interesting to see if Bellefonte can continue the trajectory it’s been building for the last two seasons.

SECOND TEAM

P – Triston Heeman, Bellefonte

P – Austin Andrus, Central Mountain

C – Oliver Thornburg, Bellefonte

IF – Bentley Andrus, Sugar Valley

IF – Parker Feltenberger, Penns Valley

IF – Mazden Lupton, Jersey Shore

IF – Takoda Ripka, Bald Eagle

OF – Felix Oquendo, Central Mountain

OF – Thomas Tarantella, Bucktail

OF – Rylan Burge, Penns Valley

UTIL – Luke Nonemaker, Central Mountain

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte manager Jon Clark shares an exchange with Carsen Henry (9) during a state playoff game. Henry was named a first teamer on the Express baseball all-star team.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain's Watt Probst, left, and teammate Austin Frank wait for action to resume during a district playoff game. Probst was named a first teamer on this year's Express baseball all-star team.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Evan Mattern rounds first base during a playoff game. Mattern was named a first teamer on this year's Express baseball all-star team.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Jersey Shore's Carter Rhinehart (2) tries to get an out from third during a baseball game this season. Rhinehart was named a first teamer on this year's Express baseball all-star team.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Jersey Shore's Nolen Pauling (4) looks to throw to first during a baseball game. Pauling was named a first teamer on this year's Express baseball all-star team.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Teagun Runkle slides for home during a district playoff game. Runkle was named a first teamer on this year's Express baseball all-star team.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Parker VonGunden runs to first during a playoff game. VonGunden was named a first teamer on this year's Express baseball all-star team.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Braeden Fortney (1) runs to first during a playoff game. Fortney was named a first teamer on this year's Express baseball all-star team.