Brody Aldenderfer hit clean-up last year and now bats lead-off this season, doing both effectively. The Montoursville senior also is an excellent center fielder and has not allowed a run while pitching.

So, one could try labeling Aldenderfer by his batting or fielding position but that seems too hard. Better to just say he is a standout all-around player.

The senior certainly proved it again Friday at Giles Field.

Aldenderfer earned the win, throwing three scoreless innings, went 2 for 3 with four RBIs and combined with Gabe Moser on a three-hit shutout as Montoursville blanked Lewisburg, 12-0 in five innings. The Warriors (9-2, 8-1 HAC-II) won for the eighth time in nine games and stayed tied for first with Mount Carmel in league play as they pursue their first league title since 2019.

“Brody has been a huge part of our program. He’s one of those kids that is going to tough to replace,” Montoursville coach Jeremy Eck said. “He’s a great leader, a great kid and he works hard. It’s nice to have him.”

Aldenderfer is a four-year contributor who has helped Montoursville capture two district championships and reach a state championship. His versatility has allowed the Warriors to use Aldenderfer like a Swiss Army Knife and he has provided both pop and speed throughout his scholastic career.

Hitting lead-off, Aldenderfer often sets the table, but he went back to his clean-up roots against Lewisburg and cleared it, producing four RBIs in his final three plate appearances. Aldenderfer’s two-run single was part of a five-run second inning and his two-out RBI triple an inning later put Montoursville ahead, 8-0.

Aldenderfer capped his day with a sacrifice fly as Montoursville scored 12 runs in its final three at-bats and put this one ahead early against a Lewisburg squad fighting for its playoff life.

“I like them both (lead-off and clean-up) pretty much evenly,” Aldenderfer said. “I like setting the tone at the beginning of the game but when the lineup flips to bottom and they get on, I feel confident that I can bring them in.”

He showed that last year when Aldenderfer collected 21 RBIs for a state finalist. But he also compiled a .551 on-base percentage, making him a logical choice to replace all-state third baseman Royce Bowes at the top of the lineup this year.

Aldenderfer has thrived there and is hitting .441 and a .521 on-base percentage. Highlighting his strong offensive combination, Aldenderfer has hit a home run, two triples and stolen eight bases. His triple Friday was a few feet from landing over the fence for another home run.

“They trust me to hit guys in,” Aldenderfer said. “And with the bottom of the lineup doing what they’ve been doing, I can do my job easily.”

“Something really nice with Brody is he can handle the bat. You can lay down a bunt or he has the ability to drive the ball out of the park,” Eck said. “He’s his own worst enemy at times. At times he gets a little anxious there, but when he stays through the baseball, he’s fantastic.”

One could say the same about his pitching.

Aldenderfer is 2-0 this season, allowing three hits in 7 1/3 innings, while striking out 10. He combined with Moser on a shutout for a second time, surrendering just a two-out first inning single against Lincoln Ayres.

A left-hander who has some quality experience, Aldenderfer keeps hitters off-balance, mixing his pitches and spotting them well. After stranding two runners in the first inning, Aldenderfer let just two more runners reach base, one an error and the other was erased when Elijah Eck, Kane Moore and Jonah Heddings combined on an inning-ending double play.

“I think once I settle in, I’m pretty good. Once I got past those bumps. I can be pretty solid,” Aldenderfer said. “I’m just trying to throw strikes, and make them beat me, nothing special. I still believe at my best I can compete with anybody in the box.”

Moser has done that well, too, striking out two in the fourth inning and inducing a game-ending flyout to right fielder Carson Menne. Moser is having a sensational senior year thus far, giving up just one run in 10 innings and striking out 11.

Montoursville complemented its pitching with quality offense as it completed a three-win week. Heddings and Logan Kirby each reached all three times they batted, going 1 for 1 with two walks and Heddings drove in four runs and Kirby scoring three. Neill’s lead-off double sparked the five-run second inning rally and Eck hit a two-run single which made it, 3-0.

Heddings belted a two-run single in the third inning and Montoursville drew three fourth inning walks, building its 12-0 advantage. Every starter reached base and eight either scored and/or drove in runs.

Coming off a huge win against Mount Carmel in which the Warriors handed the 2025 Class AAA state finalists their first loss, it was just the kind of performance the team wanted. Still, the Warriors understand the big picture and know they must keep improving.

“I’m happy with where we’re at but we’re not playing our best baseball. We’re still having some base running mistakes and not getting some bunts down,” Eck said. “I hope over the next week or so that we get a little better and a little more consistent on the little things.”

The players hope that as well, and the seniors are hoping to make their final ride together another memorable one. Because it is highly likely that fewer than eight teams will reach the 4A playoffs, Montoursville has just one home game remaining. It hosts Milton Wednesday before the final seven come either on the road or at neutral locations.

Time goes by fast, so Aldenderfer will try turning his final home game into another strong one and make another senior memory.

“With limited games left as a senior here, I’m just trying to play the best I can at home,” Aldenderfer said. “I’m trying to soak it in one last time.”

Montoursville 12, Lewisburg 0

(5 INNINGS)

Lewisburg 000 00–0 3 3

Montoursville 054 3x–12 6 1

Colin Shannon, Lincoln Ayres (3), Xavier Carter (4) and Landynn Bieber. Brody Aldenderfer, Gabe Moser (4) and Noah Kirby. W–Aldenderfer, (2-0). L–Shannon.

Top Lewisburg hitters: Shannon 1-2, 2B; Ayres 1-2; Landen Wagner 1-3. Top Montoursville hitters: Aldenderfer 2-3, 3B, 4 RBIs, R; Logan Kirby 1-1, 2 BB, 3R; Jonah Heddings 1-1, 2 BB, 4 RBIs, 2R; Zack Neill 1-2, 2B, BB, 2R; Elijah Eck 1-3, 2 RBIs, R.

Records: Montoursville 9-2, 8-1 HAC-II. Lewisburg 5-8, 3-5.