UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – DuBois Central Catholic is one of four high school baseball teams invited to take part in the inaugral Happy Balley Hardball Classic on Saturday, April 20, at Penn State University’s Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
The Cardinals, who have been to back-to-back PIAA Class 1A title games winning the championship in 2022, will be joined by defedning Class 2A champion Bald Eagle Area, defending Class 4A champion Bellefonte, and State College.
“Dubois Central Catholic is extremely excited to play in the inaugural Happy Valley Hardball Classic at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park,” DCC head coach Adam Fox said in a media release. “This is a great opportunity to play in one of the finest facilities in the country, competing against some of the most successful and historical winning programs in the state. With the new renovations, our players, our staff, and our community cannot wait to spend the day at Medlar. Thank you to all involved.”
The Happy Valley Hardball Classic schedule will feature two games for each team, culminating in a championship game under the lights at 6 p.m. Admission will be free for all games, with food and beverage available for purchase. Ballpark policies will remain in place for the Happy Valley Hardball Classic, and outside food and beverage will not be allowed into the facility.
Parking will be available in the Porter North and Jordan East for the event and is free to fans who hold a valid Penn State parking permit. All other fans are strongly encouraged to pre-pay for parking through the ParkMobile app at https://psu.parkmobile.io/medlar-field-lubrano-park. The pre-paid parking rate for the Porter North and Jordan East lots is $5.50, while the day-of-event rate will rise to $40 due to the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials going on concurrently at the Bryce Jordan Center.
DCC is slated for the second game of the tournament facing State College at Noon. Bellefonte and Bald Eagle Area will kickoff the festivities at 9 a.m. The consolation game will then be at 3 p.m. followed by the championship game at 6 p.m.
The Cardinals, off to a 2-0 start this season that has seen it throw back-to-back shutouts, were 20-6 a season ago losing both the District 9 and PIAA 1A title games to Clarion.
They are led by juniors Aiden Snowberger, Brayden Fox, and Blake Pisarcik as well as sophomore Carter Himes, all returning starters from a year ago.
State College is 0-1 on the young season after going 9-10 last year.
“We are so excited to have the chance to compete against some of the best teams Central Pennsylvania has to offer, and especially to do it against the backdrop of Medlar Field at Lubrano Park,” State College coach Dave Williams said in a statement. “Many of our players have grown up attending Penn State and State College Spikes games since they were children, so this will be a wonderful opportunity for them to play the game they love in a fantastic environment, and against elite competition.”
Bald Eagles is off to a 2-0 start this year after going 22-4 on its way to the state title a year ago. The Bald Eagels return their top hitter, Tayten Yoder as well as their No. 3 starter Westin McClain.
“The Bald Eagle Area baseball program is very excited about this opportunity,” BEA coach Jim Gardner said in a statement. “Centre County has a great baseball tradition. This is a super way to highlight it by bringing four quality programs together at an awesome venue for what should be an outstanding day of baseball.”
Bellefonte is also off to a 2-0 start this year after going 20-5 a year ago on its way to the state championship. The Raiders lost just two of their regular hitters from a year ago and return No. 2 starter Peyton Vancas.
“The Bellefonte Red Raiders are excited to be participating in the Happy Valley Hardball Classic,” Bellefonte coach Jon Clark said in a statement. “Not only will we have an opportunity to play against some of the premier teams in the area, but we are also looking forward to playing at one of the area’s premier facilities.”
Medlar Field received several upgrades over the winter including a new video board in left field with a high-definition, 2,739-square-foot screen (five times bigger than the old video board); a fresh Kentucky bluegrass field, new padded walls and LED lights for light shows.
