STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — A pair of District III teams were in action for the 2024 PIAA state championships.
The Hempfield Black Knights have pushed all the right buttons to this point to get to this point. They got the scoring started in the third inning when a base hit from Brayden Hostter down the right side brought home Dylan Jackson and Logan Dougherty.
The third would continue to be the Black Knights' inning after Drew Benchich made contact and La Salle's defender couldn't handle the pitch for Connor Maisano to score.
La Salle would make a comeback cutting the Black Knights's lead to just one in the bottom of the 7th, but Hempfield pitcher Brody Gebhard delivered the game-winning strikeout to hold the lead for the Knights as they captured their first state title in school history with a 3-2 win.
“I’m just happy for Hempfield School district the family and community are just so supportive,” said head coach Jeremy Morrison. “It really means a lot for our school district the first one ever is very meaningful.”
The Black Knights finished the season 24-6 on the year
“There is no better feeling we have had a ton of big wins but this one tops them all,” said Pitcher Brody Gebhard “I gave it everything that I had we don’t have any big sports teams that have a state championship so to be the first one is awesome.”
On the softball side, The Juniata Indians were deadlocked with Harbor Creek for most of the game. Indians pitcher Elizabeth Gaisior pitched another gym striking out over 20 Harbor Creek batters. Both teams struggling to come by any offense and heading to extra innings.
In the 9th, Brooklyn Cipalla hits an RBI single to bring home the winning run. The Indians fell in the state finals for the second time in a row, but are proud of their season.
"All I said was you guys can't hold your head they played great all season long," said head coach Craig Bubb "The amount of wins and runs and growth these girls put on the field we're going to really miss that group of seniors"
The Indians had a runner on third base late in the 6th inning but ultimately grounded out to close the inning out.