The real Bellefonte cruise; Red Raiders post PIAA title with dominating 7-1 win

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: June 18, 2023

Photos by Tim Weight

UNIVERSITY PARK – Let the celebration begin!

At the beginning of the season there was a buzz about this year’s Bellefonte baseball team.

With predictions of being a possible state champion, opponents brought their A-game night after night against the Red Raiders.

Every night, Bellefonte brought the best that they had, which eventually brought them to the pinnacle of state glory.

Saturday, the Red Raiders sealed the deal, posting a convincing 7-1 victory over Dallas to capture the PIAA Class AAAA championship.

Bellefonte leadoff hitter Trevor Johnson finished the season with another multi hit game, going 2-for-4, scoring twice.

Other hitters finishing with multiple hits were Josh Brown (2-for-3) and Levi Purnell (2-for-2, 3RBIs).

Triston Heckman posted a 3RBI effort en route to helping his team to the victory.

Dallas scattered six hits on the afternoon with no multiple hitters.

Picking up the victory on the mound for the Red Raiders was a Dominic Capperella, who went the distance, allowing one run in six hits while striking out five.

Taking the loss for the Mountaineers was Sam Barrouk. Barrouk went four innings, giving up five runs on seven hits.

But it would be Dallas who notched the first run of the game.

In the first, the Mountaineers got things started on a single by Zach Paczewski.

Joe Peters advanced Paczewski to second on a fielders choice, putting him in scoring position.

With two outs, Dylan Getsky sent a screamer into centerfield, scoring Paczewski.

But the Dallas lead would only be temporary as the Red Raiders came storming back in their part of the first.

Continuing to swing a strong bat, Johnson led off with an impressive double into right field.

Peyton Vancas moved Johnson up as he singled to put runners on the corners.

Johnson tied the game as he hustled home, scoring on a Dallas passed ball. Vancas moved up to second on the passed ball.

Alex Ebeling moved Vancas to third, putting down a sacrifice bunt.

Heckman sent a sacrifice fly into centerfield, scoring Vancas to take the lead 2-1.

Capperella took care of the Mounties offense in the second, striking out 2-of-3.

Bellefonte added to its lead in the third, picking up three to extend its lead to 5-1.

Ebeling got the inning going with a one-out walk.

Heckman took one for the team as he was plunked by a Barrouk offering.

Braedyn Kormanic loaded the bases as he roped a single into left field.

With two outs, Purnell brought in Ebeling and Heckman with a single into right, upping it to a 4-1 advantage. Kormanic moved to third base. Kormanic was taken out for pinch runner Ethan Tomasacci.

Tomasacci stole home on a double steal as Dallas tried to catch Purnell trying to steal.

That was all the padding Capperella would need as he continued to cruise through the Dallas line up.

the Bellefonte offense gave Capperella another run in the fifth and one in the sixth to capture the title and give the Red Raiders its second state title in team history.