Down five, Bellefonte makes historic comeback to earn a PIAA Championship Appearance

By Kenny Varner Jr.
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: June 12, 2023

File photo
Courtesy of GameChanger
HOMER CITY – Historical comeback! The Bellefonte baseball team nabbed the lead late in the game in a 6-5 victory over Hopewell on Monday to advance to the PIAA championship game Friday.
The game was tied at five with the Red Raiders batting in the bottom of the fifth when Levi Purnell lined out, driving in a run.

The Vikings scored three runs in the fourth inning, but Bellefonte still managed to pull out the victory. Hopewell scored its runs on a home run by Lucas Arington.

The Vikings got on the board in the first inning when Greg Barlion singled on a 3-1 count, scoring one run.

Peyton Vancas pitched the Red Raiders to victory. The righthander went three innings, allowing zero runs on two hits, striking out four and walking zero.

John Vescio took the loss for Hopewell. The southpaw surrendered two runs on two hits, walking one.

Kingston Krotec started the game for the Vikings. The righty went four innings, allowing four runs on six hits and striking out three Dominic Capperella started the game for Bellefonte. Capperella went four innings, allowing five runs on four hits and striking out six

The Red Raiders racked up nine hits on the day. Trevor Johnson and Braedyn Kormanic each collected multiple hits for Bellefonte. Johnson went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the Red Raiders in hits.

Barlion led Hopewell with two hits in four at bats. The Vikings didn’t commit a single error in the field. Charles Smetana had the most chances in the field with four.