UNIVERSITY PARK — A thunderstorm came through State College Friday afternoon and delayed Hollidaysburg’s 2-1 PIAA Class 5A baseball championship setback to Governor Mifflin for nearly three hours.

Just before the first pitch of the second game of a tripleheader at Penn State University’s Medlar Field at Lubrano Park between Neumann-Goretti and Avonworth, a lightning delay was called. The tarp was placed on the field, and the game did not begin until 4:20 p.m., just 10 minutes before Hollidaysburg was originally scheduled to play.

The PIAA was determined to get the final two games in on Friday.

“We met yesterday with the State College Spikes as well as Penn State University and talked to AccuWeather and the National Weather Service, and when we got up this morning, it was pretty positive,” PIAA Chief Operating Officer Mark Byers said. “We tried to start the second game and had infield and outfield done, our lineups done and the storm closed in. We were fortunate enough to have schools that were patient with us. They wanted to get the games in today if they could. We had a couple teams stay overnight (Thursday), and we didn’t want them to have another overnight expense.”

Despite knowing a delay was likely, Hollidaysburg left town on schedule.

“We anticipated some rain, but we kept the departure time the same (1:35 p.m.) and had a nice going-away parade sendoff at the high school and junior high,” Hollidaysburg coach Jon Szynal said. “Once we got here, it was really raining hard. We sat on the bus for a little while, and then (Hollidaysburg athletic director) Homer (DeLattre) was able to contact Mark Byers from the PIAA, and they got us up into the luxury box. We were able to relax up there and get something to eat and watch the game for a little bit.”

Byers praised the State College Spikes staff for handling the delay and getting the field back to pristine shape in short order.

“They have been cooperative not just all weekend but every year,” Byers said. “They know getting three games in isn’t the easiest thing in the world to do, but their staff is fantastic.”

The Golden Tiger players weren’t caught off guard by the change in plans.

“We knew there was a good chance coming in there was going to be rain,” Hollidaysburg senior Carson Kensinger said. “We didn’t know the extent, but we knew there was a chance we wouldn’t be playing on time. Penn State set us up really well with a box, and we were able to settle in.”

Despite the change in game time, Hollidaysburg still had a large crowd on hand to watch the team play in its first PIAA baseball championship game.

“We have had great community support,” DeLattre said. “Over the years it has been that way with the Little League run a couple years ago. Hollidaysburg is a baseball town. Everyone is excited, and I don’t think the delay will impact that excitement.”

BEA repeats

Bald Eagle Area, which plays in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference with Hollidaysburg and edged the Golden Tigers, 6-5, in the regular season, repeated as the PIAA Class 2A champions on Thursday with an 11-3 win over Tri-Valley.

Gavin Burns had three hits and drove in four runs, Kahale Burns had three hits and scored four runs and starting pitcher Weston McClain came one out from a complete game and struck out five in earning the win.

A year ago, both BEA and Bellefonte won PIAA baseball championships.

Slamming it home

Hollidaysburg officially went on the clock when Neumann-Goretti’s Andrew Dankanich hit a walk-off grand slam to give his team a 12-0 five inning win over Avonworth in the Class 3A final just before 6 p.m.

Faith Christian defeated Eden Christian, 4-1, in the Class 1A final in the morning before the storm.