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Warrior Run’s Griffen Harrington propelled Defenders; named Player of the Year in baseball

By Chris Masse 14 min read

Griffen Harrington enjoyed a stellar junior season. He hit .531, smashed six home runs and collected 23 RBIs.

Whoops, wait a minute. Those numbers are just from Harrington's final seven games this past season. Still, the fact that he did all that game in just nine games speaks volumes. It was not an aberration; it was just Harrington being Harrington.

The versatile junior earned Class AAA all-state honors and put together one of the best seasons in Warrior Run history. So, despite the field being as deep as any in recent memory, Harrington still was an easy choice as the Sun-Gazette's Player of the Year.

In addition to hitting so well, Harrington was dominant on the mound and excelled defensively while playing first base, third base and at catcher. The right-hander went 8-0 with a 2.12 ERA, nearly striking a batter out per inning.

Still, it was Harrington's ability to do his best Roy Hobbs impersonation on a regular basis which really pushed him over the top. The sweet-swinging junior made a run at the Triple Crown, producing an area-best nine home runs and 40 RBIs. He also scored 32 runs and generated 30 hits.

At the heart of a remarkable three-year Warrior Run turnaround, Harrington helped Warrior Run go 18-2 and win its first league championship since 2016. The Defenders were upset in the district semifinals, but Harrington still went 2 for 3 with a home run. That capped his torrid season-ending nine game hitting streak. Harrington also produced 12 multi-hit games and repeatedly cleared the table after hitters such as Cohen Zechman and Landon Tillson set it.

In three seasons, Harrington already has made quite a mark at Warrior Run. He's hit .379 for his career, accumulating a .500 on-base percentage. During that time, Harrington also has 80 hits, 15 home runs, 20 doubles, 76 RBIs and 76 runs.

And the best might still be coming.

Sun-Gazette Player of the Year nominees

First Runner-up--Jimmy Mussina, Montoursville: If there was a Comeback Player of the Year award, Mussina probably would be a unanimous choice after putting together a fantastic all-around season. In addition to upping his average by .319 points, he also lowered his ERA by 4.25 points, helping lead Montoursville to the Class AAAA state championship game.

Mussina settled into the middle of the lineup, and hit .457 with a .538 on-base percentage, 24 RBIs, 21 runs. He was at his best with runners on base and also in big moments, going 9 for 15 in the postseason with eight RBIs. Mussina was equally impressive on the mound, which you will read more about in a bit, becoming nearly unhittable during the playoffs as Montoursville won five straight games and captured the Eastern Region championship.

Second runners-up--Tadd Lusk, South and Alex Davis, NP-Mansfield: South's only senior, Lusk provided the District 4 Class AA champions not only a super producer, but a tremendous leader. Playing four different positions, Lusk enjoyed his best season and delivered a district-high 40 hits. He also gained entry into a phenomenal club, going 40-40 with those hits and a district-best 41 stolen bases. Lusk hit .506, compiled a .596 on-base percentage, added two home runs, eight doubles, 24 RBIs and 33 runs. He closed the season on a 15-game hitting streak (longest among area hitters), collected 11 multi-hit games, hit .409 for his high school career and totaled 90 hits, as well as 71 runs.

Davis did a bit of everything to help North Penn-Mansfield reach districts for a second straight year, enhancing his reputation as one of the area's best lead-off batters while providing excellent pitching. A four-year starter, Davis hit .516 with four home runs, seven doubles, 34 RBIs and 37 runs. He closed his terrific high school career with seven multi-hit games and went 4 for 4 with three RBIs against Hughesville in districts. Possessing power and speed, Davis stole 22 bases and generated 11 multi-hit games. Davis scored in 18 of his 19 games and was just as tough on the mound, going 5-2 with a 1.73 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings. Davis enjoyed one of the more storied careers at North Penn-Mansfield, graduating with a career .455 average, 115 hits, 110 runs, 88 RBIs, 32 doubles and 57 steals.

Sun-Gazette Pitcher of the Year

Second runners-up--Briar Persing, Montgomery and Ryan Schur, Williamsport: Despite suffering a torn meniscus early in the season, Persing showcased his toughness and surged down the stretch, helping Montgomery reach the district final and state tournament for the first time as a 2A team. Persing went 6-1 with a 1.84 ERA and struck out 85 despite throwing only 38 innings. Persing also only walked nine batters, held opponents to a .157 batting average, came within an out of a perfect game in the district semifinals and hit .447. Persing has 14 wins in just 1 1/2 seasons of high school pitching.

Schur was just about untouchable ... again. The Williamsport senior closed his season with 16 2/3 scoreless innings, surrendering just five hits during that time. Schur went 5-0 with a 0.77 ERA, allowing 14 hits in 27 1/3 innings and striking out 22. The right-hander held opponents to zero runs in seven of his nine appearances. Over the past two seasons, Schur went 7-1 with a .052 ERA and opponents managed just 21 hits in 49 innings against him.

First runner-up--Cole Gerber, South: Like Persing a year ago, Gerber wasted no time making a massive impact as a freshman. The left-hander combined great stuff with the demeanor of a Major League veteran, never cracking no matter the situation. Gerber went 8-3 with a 2.37 ERA, striking out an area-best 99 hits in 71 innings, while allowing just 48 hits. Gerber was at his best when the games were the biggest, excelling down the stretch when South was fighting for a playoff spot and after it secured that berth. He went 2-0 in the postseason, striking out 30 in 19 2/3 innings and fanned at least nine batters in five of his six final starts. Gerber overpowered top-seeded Southern Columbia in the district semifinals, throwing seven scoreless innings, earned the win against Montgomery in the district championship and stifled Camp Hill in states after it had won consecutive District 3 AA titles.

Pitchers of the Year--Logan Kirby and Jimmy Mussina, Montoursville: The Committee could not decide here since each member of this tag team, which helped Montoursville nearly win a state championship, was so effective. Kirby and Mussina gave the Warriors two aces and each delivered under pressure multiple times. Kirby tied for the area lead in wins, going 8-1 with a 1.78 ERA and a save. The junior right-hander struck out 80 in 57 innings, scattered 41 hits and shut down powerful Danville and Pope John II offenses during the postseason. Kirby held Danville to one earned run in 6 2/3 innings before throwing a six-hit shutout against Pope John II. He has five career playoff wins and is 17-2 overall his first three seasons, striking out 157 batters in 132 2/3 innings.

Mussina perfectly complemented Kirby, coming from the left side and constantly keeping teams off-balance with his off-speed pitches. The senior went 6-1 with a save and a minuscule 0.87 ERA. Mussina struck out 48 in 44 1/3 innings and, as was the case offensively, saved his best for the postseason. There Mussina went 2-0, allowing just two earned runs and striking out 12. Mussina threw four no-hit innings in relief in the state quarterfinals against Fleetwood before allowing just two infield singles in five dominant innings of relief in the state final against Indiana.

FIRST-TEAM ALL-STARS

Starting Lineup

1 Royce Bowes, IF, Montoursville (.458, .542 obp, 16 RBIs, 33R, 37H, 10 SB, 12 multi-hit games, scored in all 6 playoff games); 2 Tadd Lusk, OF, South Williamsport; 3 Griff Harrington, IF, Warrior Run; 4 Blake Walker, IF, Central Mountain (.462, .576 obp, 6 HR, 7 2B, 23 RBIs, 16R, 7 multi-hit games, 3-6, HR, 3 RBIs in playoffs, 1st team all-state; 5 Alex Davis, IF, North Penn-Mansfield; 6 Jimmy Mussina, DH for Logan Kirby, Montoursville; 7 Landen Wagner, OF, Lewisburg (.481, .603 obp, 3 3B, 8 2B, 10 RBIs, 25R, 65 career hits in 3 years, 11 SB, reached in 17 of 18 games, 2nd team all-state); 8 Landon Tillson, C, Warrior Run (.516, .584 obp, 32 hits, 2 2B, 14 RBIs, 29R, 18 SB, .980 fielding, reached in last 19 games, 10 multi-hit games, 2nd team all-state); 9 Michael Reeder, OF, Montoursville (.455, .597 obp, 3 2B, 14 RBIs, 31R, hit in 12 of last 13 games, reached in all 25 games)

Starting Rotation

Logan Kirby, Montoursville; Jimmy Mussina, Montoursville; Cole Gerber, South; Briar Persing, Montgomery; Ryan Schur, Williamsport

Bullpen

Landon Polcyn, Warrior Run (5-2, 1.35 ERA, 26 IP, 15H, 53 Ks, 153 career Ks in 93 IP, 1.96 ERA, 2nd team all-state); Deryk Kulp, Loyalsock (6-5, 2.20 ERA, 4 CG, 54 IP, 45 H, 60 Ks, in last 5 starts went 4-1, 29 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 14 H, 38 Ks); Ayren Morgan, Cowanesque Valley 6-1, 1.12 ERA, 37 1/3 IP, 30H, 44 Ks, 20 straight scoreless innings); Angelo Birch, St. John Neumann (4-3, 1.83 ERA, 46 IP, 66 Ks; James Keifer, Warrior Run (4-0, 1.86 ERA, 37 2/3 IP, 19H, 61 Ks); Cole Deitrick, Williamsport (2-1, 2.12 ERA, 33 IP, 21 H, 46 Ks)

First Team Reserves

Trent Wetzel, IF, Hughesville (.500, .576 obp, 6 2B, 17 RBIs, 24R, hit in 18 of 22 games, 12 multi-hit games, 2nd team all-state); Noah Kirby, C, Montoursville (.385, .473 obp, 9 2B, 37 RBIs, .989 fielding, 1st team HAC-II); Parker Bennett, IF, Montgomery (.400, .500 obp, 4 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 15 RBIs, 34R, 18 SB, Mid-Penn MVP); Chase Wright, OF, Loyalsock (.413, .532 obp, 2 HR, 3 3B, 4 2B, 14 RBIs, 24R, 7 multi-hit games, reached in 18 of 20 games, 1st team HAC-III); Watt Probst, C, Central Mountain (.397, 11 2B, 2 3B, .455 obp, threw out of 8 of 17 base stealers, 6 multi-hit games, 1st team HAC-I); Loagan Stickler, IF, CV (.453, .532 obp, 3 HR, 2 3B, 7 2B, 25 RBIs, 24R); Connor Anstadt, OF, Hughesville (.384, .494 obp, 2 HR, 2 3B, 3 2B, 17 RBIs, 24R, 7 multi-hit games, 0 errors, 1st team HAC-III); Giovanni White, OF, Williamsport (.407, .521 obp, 4 2B, 3B, 20 RBIs, 20R, 1st team HAC-I, 7 multi-hit games); Ben Fitch, OF, Canton (.420, .467 obp, 2 HR, 2 3B, 8 2B, 12 RBIs, 28R, 26 SB); Andrew Walter, IF, Neumann (.426, .545 obp, 4 2B, 3B, 30 RBIs, 31R, 8 multi-hit games, reached 17 of 18 games); Bailey Gardner, C, Canton (.419, .479 obp, 9 2B, 20 RBIs, 31R, 18 SB, .968 fielding)

SECOND-TEAM ALL-STARS

John Kiehl, IF, Loyalsock (.408, .442 obp, 5 2B, 18 RBIs, 11R, hit in 17 of final 19 games, reached in final 19 games, 1st team HAC-III); Marek Mascho, IF, Wellsboro (.451, .483 obp, 3 HR, 7 2B, 26 RBIs, 28R, .979 fielding, 12 game hit streak, hits in 15 of last 16 games, 10 multi-hit games); Christian Franzen, IF, Williamsport (.387, .481 obp, HR, 5 2B, 19 RBIs, 23R, 1st team HAC-I); Coen Tennis, C, Wellsboro (.403, .513 obp, HR, 2 2B, 24 RBIs, 17R, .990 fielding); Isaiah Maldonado, OF, Central Mountain (.345. .507 obp, 3 2B, 20 RBIs, 15R, 8 SB, 1st team HAC-I); Nate Bieber, P, Hughesville; Malaky Moyd, IF, Central Mountain (.377, .469 obp, HR, 3 3B, 4 2B, 16 RBI, 20R; 0 errors, 8 double plays); Tucker Blasi, IF, Sullivan County (.474, .655 obp, HR, 4 3B, 4 2B, 14 RBIs, 23R, 17 SB, .976 fielding); Tanner Baker, IF, Muncy (.426, HR, 5 2B, 17 RBIs, 21R); Keller Friese, IF, Bucktail (.514, HR, 6 3B, 5 2B, 8 RBIs, 16R, .596 obp, 11 SB, 12 game hitting streak, hit in 13 of 15 games, 55 hits in 2 years); Victor Ottmann, OF, Montgomery (.400, .480 obp, 14 RBIs, 23R, 11 SB); Stone Allison, OF, Warrior Run (.288, .452 obp, 3 HR, 4 2B, 28 RBIs, 13R, 0 errors); Graden Dohl, P, Hughesville (area-high 4 SVs, 2.98 ERA, 42 1/3 IP, 59 Ks); Cooper Shaw, IF, North Penn-Mansfield (.449, .512 obp, 3 HR, 8 2B, 26 RBIs, 30R, 83 career hits, 75 RBIs)

Sun-Gazette Breakthrough Player of the Year

Second runners-up--Nate Bieber and Dylan McConnell, Hughesville: Bieber came up big in his first full season pitching, shining in the playoffs and earning the win against North Penn-Mansfield and Warrior Run as Hughesville reached a district final for the third time in four years. The crafty right-hander finished 6-2 with a 2.46 ERA and kept improving as the season progressed. The same could be said for McConnell who settled into a reliable lead-off hitter. The sophomore outfielder compiled a .418 on-base percentage, drove in 12 runs, scored 17 and added nine steals. Both are part of a strong Spartan foundation in place entering 2026.

Runner-up--Levi Butler, South: Another player who worked his way into the lead-off spot and excelled there, Butler helped set the tone offensively and defensively for the district champions. The sophomore shortstop hit .379 with 31 hits, 18 RBIs, 17 runs and 13 steals. He also made a marvelous play against Camp Hill in states which helped point the way to victory.

Breakthrough Player of the Year--Deshaun White, Williamsport: Anyone who watched the Backyard Brawl knows how exciting a player White is. The sophomore put on a show that Saturday, earning MVP honors and helping Williamsport repeat as champions. It was a snap shot of what helped White burst onto the scene this season, showcasing his power, speed and defense. Despite an early-season injury, White hit .370, produced a .508 on-base percentage, hit two home runs, drove in 20 runs and scored 14 times. He can play in the outfield or infield and White is a hard-working, selfless player who gives the Millionaires an excellent player to build around next spring.

Sun-Gazette Newcomer of the Year

Second runner-up--Avery Taddeo, Neumann: A freshman first baseman, Taddeo wasted no time making an impact, playing a key role in helping Neumann reach a district final for the fourth time in program history. A consistent run producer, Taddeo finished second on the team with 20 RBIs. Taddeo drove in at least two runs in seven of Neumann's 18 games and also produced a .361 on-base percentage.

Runners-up--Jameson Barlow and Kynton Fish, Muncy: Muncy fielded one of the district's youngest teams but nearly made the playoffs and these two freshmen were major reasons why. Barlow excelled offensively and, on the mound, hitting .350 with nine doubles, 14 RBIs and 23 runs. He also held his own against Muncy's toughest opponents and pitched an outstanding game in a win against Neumann, finishing the year with five wins. Fish was another versatile threat, delivering in the middle of the order and showing the skills which could make him one of the area's top catchers the next three years. Fish hit .313 with 15 RBIs and 16 runs, but was especially valuable because of his play behind the plate, throwing out 15 base runners.

Newcomer of the Year--Nolen Pauling and Collin Berguson, Jersey Shore: Another freshmen duo who may help their team surge the next three years, Pauling and Berguson made big impacts as soon as they took the field. Berguson is a terrific outfielder who combines power and speed, generating a .468 on-base percentage, hitting two late-season home runs and scoring 10 times. Berguson made no errors and earned second team HAC-I honors. Pauling shined at shortstop and established himself as one of the area's premier closers. Pauling also had a .390 on-base percentage, homered and drove in 14 runs. In addition to making some tremendous plays at shortstop, Pauling showed nerves of steel on the mound, not allowing a run in his first nine appearances. The right-hander earned two saves, scattered eight hits in 14 innings, struck out 19 and compiled a 2.00 ERA.

Sun-Gazette Coach

of the Year

Second runners-up--Mike Kramer, Central Mountain and Rick Armstead, Neumann: The only coach in Central Mountain history, Kramer keeps excelling and helped a young Wildcats team win another District 6 Class 5A championship. Despite losing the majority of its 2024 starters, Central Mountain improved it wins total, captured the HAC-I championship, going undefeated in league play, and finished 16-2. Kramer also helped the Wildcats win their first 14 games. Armstead also helped a young team come together and Neumann made a six-win improvement, finishing just a game out of first in the Mid-Penn's West Division, while reaching the District 4 Class A championship. Neumann started the season 10-2 and its only regular season losses were to larger classification teams.

Runner-up--Jeremy Eck, Montoursville: For the third time in his 13-year coaching career, Eck led a team to a state championship appearance. This run was the most unlikely of that trio as Montoursville went to another level late in the season, bumped off Danville, with 13 returning seniors from a 2024 state semifinalist, to capture the district championship and just kept elevating from there. The Warriors played five straight error-less games in the postseason, winning all five and earning Montoursville's first state final berth since 2006. Montoursville also won its most games since that season and Eck helped it win its fourth district title in seven seasons.

Coach of the Year--Chase Waller, South: What a rookie season Waller enjoyed. After learning from his father Casey, Waller made a name for himself. He helped take one of the district's youngest teams to both a District 4 Class AA championship and state quarterfinal appearance. It was a remarkable run, considering South had just one senior, returned only two full-time starters and played one of the district's most demanding schedules. South was a strike from not reaching the playoffs, but once there played inspired baseball, beating the top two seeds in districts before defeating perennial state title contender Camp Hill in states. The Mounties then gave eventual state champion Faith Christian its toughest playoff game, taking it nine innings and coming so close to just the second Final 4 appearance in program history.

Honorable Mention: Jamie St. Peter, CV; Chris Kish, Hughesville; Tyler Albert, Williamsport; Derrick Zechman, Warrior Run; Tim Persing, Montgomery

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