Indiana (24-1) vs.

Montoursville (20-4) at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, Penn State, 1:30 p.m.

Indiana road to Penn State: In District 7, beat Ambridge, 1-0, 9 innings; Belle Vernon, 11-2 and Elizabeth Forward, 3-1, 11 innings; In States, beat Bellefonte, 1-0, 12 innings; Central Valley, 8-0 and East Pennsboro, 6-5, 17 innings

Indiana notes: The Little Indians are making their second straight championship appearance and seeking their first title after losing a 6-5, walk-off heart-breaker against Holy Ghost Prep last year. Indiana led that game, 5-2 in the fifth inning. The Indians have excelled under pressure in the playoffs, winning three extra-inning games, including outlasting previously undefeated East Pennsboro in the Western Region final. That game not only lasted 17 innings but stretched two days after storms forced it to be suspended after 14, Monday. Indiana features a terrific pitching staff, featuring three Division I recruits. Today’s likely starter, Greg Minnick, will pitch at Texas Tech, while Ryan Okopal and Mark Collinger both will throw at Mercyhurst. Sullivan VanHoose provides strong arm, throwing four scoreless innings against Central Valley. Minnick is 9-0 and entered states with a 0.79 ERA. Okopal is 8-0 and combined with Minnick on the 12-inning shutout against Bellefonte. Both also pitched in last year’s final. Minnick throws in the low to mid-90s and also features an effective curveball and slider. Okopal has lost just once in two years and Collinger also has flourished. Charlie Manzie hit a walk-off, two-run home run against Elizabeth Forward as Indiana captured its first WPIAL championship. The Central Valley quarterfinal game was scoreless until the fifth when Indiana broke things open. Tim Birch sparks the offense from his lead-off spot and Collinger and catcher Ethan Shank are strong in the middle of the lineup. Caden Force also is having a strong season. Coach David Petroff has led Indiana to the state final in both his seasons there.

Montoursville road to Penn State: In District 4, beat Athens, 11-1, and Danville, 7-3; In States, beat Crestwood, 18-0; Fleetwood, 6-4 and Pope John II, 6-0

Montoursville notes: Montoursville is competing in its first state final since the 2006 Class AA championship. It is trying to win the program’s first state crown since 1992 and is playing in its first 4A final. Montoursville also has won 20 games for the first time since 2006. It has played in seven straight district championships, winning four and dethroning 2024 champion Danville 17 days ago. Logan Kirby threw a six-hit shutout against Pope John II and is 8-0 with a 1.78 ERA. He also stifled Danville in the district final, fanning eight in 6 2/3 innings. Jimmy Mussina threw five brilliant innings of relief, allowing just two hits and earning the win in the quarterfinals. He is 6-1 with a 0.87 ERA and shut down Athens in the district semifinals. Mussina and fellow seniors Michael Reeder and Royce Bowes both are hitting above .400 and center fielder Brody Aldenderfer has a .553 on-base percentage. Catcher Noah Kirby has 34 RBIs and KJ Moore a .525 on-base percentage. Jonah Heddings drove in two runs against Pope John II and Brayden McCourt ignited a five-run fifth inning rally with a lead-off double. Third baseman Zack Neill has driven in two runs in each of Montoursville’s three state tournament games. At least seven starters have reached base in every playoff game. Eleven did so against Crestwood and nine players had hits in that game. Coach Jeremy Eck is coaching in his third state final in 13 seasons after helping Loyalsock capture the 2013 and 2014 Class AA championships.

INDIANA RESULTS

Indiana 6, Hempfield 1

Indiana 10, Kiski 0

Indiana 9, Beaver 3

Indiana 12, Highlands 2

Indiana 10, Highlands 3

Indiana 9, Punxsutawney 4

Indiana 6, Elizabeth Fwd. 1

Indiana 13, Derry 1

Indiana 10, Grnsb. Salem 0

Indiana 7, Grnsb. Salem 0

Indiana 12, Derry 2

Indiana 10, Knoch 5

Indiana 3, Knoch 1

Indiana 1, Connellsville 10

Indiana 5, Valley 0

Indiana 1, Valley 0

Indiana 5, DuBois 1

Indiana 2, Armstrong 1

Indiana 8, Butler 1

Indiana 7, Hollidaysburg 3

Indiana 1, Ambridge 0 (9 inn.)

Indiana 11, Belle Vernon 2

Indiana 4, Elizabeth Fwd. 2 (11 inn.)

Indiana 1, Bellefonte 0 (12 inn.)

Indiana 8, Central Valley 0

Indiana 6, E. Pennsboro 5 (17 inn.)

MONTOURSVILLE RESULTS

Montoursville 12, Lewisburg 0

Montoursville 10, Midd-West 2

Montoursville 15, Mifflinburg 0

Montoursville 9, Milton 3

Montoursville 3, Danville 13

Montoursville 15, Central Col. 2

Montoursville 10, Montgomery 5

Montoursville 9, Midd-West 3

Montoursville 8, Lewisburg 1

Montoursville 15, Jersey Shore 0

Montoursville 15, Milton 0

Montoursville 5, MCA 6 (9 inn.)

Montoursville 11, Shamokin 1

Montoursville 3, Danville 0

Montoursville 5, Central Col. 0

Montoursville 13, MCA 15 (8 inn.)

Montoursville 11, South 1

Montoursville 3, Williamsport 5

Montoursville 5, Loyalsock 1

Montoursville 11, Athens 1

Montoursville 7, Danville 3

Montoursville 18, Crestwood 0

Montoursville 6, Fleetwood 4

Montoursville 6, Pope John II 0