Jun 16, 2025
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent The Montoursville baseball team poses with its PIAA Class 4A runner-up trophy following its state championship matchup against Indiana, Friday at Medlar Field. The Warriors fell 5-4.
The Sandlot Kids became Pennsylvania’s best 4A Eastern Region baseball team. And they came, oh so close, to being the state’s best team.
Montoursville surprised just about everyone, including itself, making a phenomenal run to Penn State and the state final. Along the way, the Warriors exorcised some demons, reclaimed a district championship, went as far as any team there since 2006 and became one of the best teams in a storied program’s history.
The following is a look at how all 18 players left their fingerprints upon this sensational success throughout the 2025 season.
10–No-no in opener: Logan Kirby and Brayden McCourt helped Montoursville start the season in emphatic fashion, combining on a five-inning no-hitter in a 12-0 win against Lewisburg. Kirby struck out five in three innings and McCourt fanned six in two. The righty-lefty combo let Lewisburg put just four balls in play, while Royce Bowes and Brody Aldenderfer each added two hits.
9–An eye-opening defeat: Montoursville outscored its first four opponents, 46-5, but Danville humbled it in an anticipated district championship rematch. Instead of paying back the Ironmen after losing a 12-11 heart-breaker in the previous final, Montoursville struggled in all facets, allowed eight first inning runs and lost, 13-3 in six innings. It was a frustrating loss, but it’s the response which matters and Montoursville certainly responded well.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville’s Royce Bowes makes the tag at second on Williamsport’s Gio White during the Backyard Brawl at Millionaire Mountain on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
8–An unsatisfying win: Not that the Warriors were a fine-oiled machine yet despite improving to 11-2 following an 11-1 win against Shamokin. Upset about how his team was approaching the game, coach Jeremy Eck lambasted it afterward, letting them know that if things did not change, it would be a short postseason. There, in that center field huddle, may have been the season’s turning point and the launching pad for this state title run.
7–Avenging the past: Look no further than the next game to back up that claim. Montoursville pounced on a second chance against Danville and beat the rain as well, winning a rain-shortened, 3-0, five-inning game. Jimmy Mussina threw a three-hit shutout, while KJ Moore and Noah Kirby each collected two hits. Proving it could beat a team with 13 seniors back from last year’s state semifinalist was a huge step forward.
6–Building something good: After closing its season with a hard-fought Backyard Brawl win against rival Loyalsock, Montoursville opened the playoffs against NTL-I champion Athens. There, the Warriors dominated and scored the game’s final 10 runs, winning, 11-1 in five innings. Eck said all season that Montoursville would have to win without Kirby pitching in the semifinals and Mussina answered the call, throwing two-hit baseball for 4 2/3 innings. Every starter reached base and Montoursville scored 10 runs in its final three at-bats, earning a seventh straight district final appearance.
5–A New King ascends: Montoursville earned the opportunity it wanted against the opponent it wanted, getting its district final rematch against Danville. The Warriors waited 367 days for this game and would not be denied this time. Following two years of title game frustration, Montoursville dominated this time, beating Danville, 7-3. The Warriors scored three second inning runs and never let Danville pull closer than two. Kirby overpowered Danville for 6 2/3 innings and Michael Reeder went 2 for 3 with a double and three RBIs as Montoursville climbed to the district throne and won its fourth championship since 2018.
4–Making a statement: Players and coaches said throughout the season that the primary goal was getting past Danville and capturing that district championship. But once states rolled around the Warriors knew they were dangerous. They had just beaten one of the state’s premier teams, had excellent pitching, had pulled into a cohesive, selfless unit and were playing loose. All that came bursting out in an 18-0 state tournament first round win against Crestwood. The Comets felt like they may have been struck by one as Montoursville pounded out 11 first inning runs and two more in the second. Kirby threw a one-hit shutout, 11 players reached base and nine delivered hits as the Warriors reached the quarterfinals for a third time in four years.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville pitcherJimmy Mussina has a conference with catcher Curtis Twigg between batters in the third inning of a playoff game against Athens.
3–Two-out thunder = Elite 8 win: After routing three playoff opponents by a 36-4 margin, Montoursville found itself in trouble early against Fleetwood in the quarterfinals. Montoursville trailed 3-0 in the third inning and its first eight batters were retired. Then like a bolt of lightning, Montoursville unleashed fury and stormed past Fleetwood. Reeder ignited a two-out, five-run rally and the Warriors went ahead, 5-3. Bowes and Aldenderfer provided RBI hits and Mussina’s two-run double put Montoursville ahead to stay. Mussina dominated in relief, opening with four hitless innings and allowing just two hits in five innings as Montoursville won, 6-4 to reach the Final 4 for the first time since 2018.
2–Penn State-bound: Kirby picked up where Mussina left off in the state semifinals and bewildered a powerful Pope John II offense which had scored runs in bunches all season. Kirby threw a six-hit shutout, the defense shined and seven players reached base, helping Montoursville win, 6-0, to break down a 19-year barrier and capture its first Eastern Region championship since 2006. McCourt fueled a five-run fifth inning, Reeder went 3 for 3 and Moore and Bowes turned a critical double play early to end a bases-loaded threat as all the pieces fell into place. Bowes coined Montoursville, “The Sandlot” and, together, a group of dedicated friends and teammates marched on to Penn State.
1–Comeback Kids: Montoursville took the field at Medlar Field again as underdogs against a loaded team featuring three Division I bound pitchers, including Texas Tech’s Greg Minnick. The Warriors fell behind, 4-0, but in a performance which epitomized exactly who this team was, they kept fighting back. Noah Kirby produced three hits and three RBIs, his two-run, two-out single pulling Montoursville within 5-4 in the sixth. Mussina again dominated in relief, throwing four shutout innings and surrendering just two infield singles. He, Zack Neill and Jonah Heddings all reached base to start the seventh inning and it appeared Montoursville might come all the way back and capture the program’s first state championship since 1992. But it was not to be. Three straight quality plays by Indiana’s defense finally brought an end to Montoursville’s excellent season. In defeat, Montoursville again achieved honor and takes its place now among the six best teams to ever play there.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville’s Jonah Heddings connects for a double with an RBI in the first inning of a state playoff game against Crestwood.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville’s Brody Aldenderfer beats the tag at second during the PIAA district 4, Class AAAA final against Danville at Bowman Field on Monday, May 26, 2025.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Logan Kirby starts off on the mound for Montoursville during the PIAA Class AAAA championship game against Indiana Area at State College on Friday, June 13, 2025.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville’s Brody Aldenderfer and teammates stretch before the PIAA Class AAAA state finals at Medlar Park in State College, Pa. on Friday, June 13, 2025.
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