Montoursville living up to program’s legacy, amped for semis

So, while winning a district title is a tremendous achievement, carving out one’s own team identity at such a storied program can be difficult even after celebrating at Bowman Field.

Now, a team which entered the season featuring no players who tasted district gold, is making a big mark. That says a lot about for what it has done. Not that Montoursville is satisfied.

The Warriors (19-4) are Final 4 bound for the first time since 2018 and just the second time in the 2000s. They face Pope John II in today’s 4A state semifinals at North Schuylkill. A team which has created its own niche in program history now has an opportunity at becoming one of the program’s all-time best.

“It’s like when you play football for Jersey Shore. When you play baseball for Montoursville it’s tough to really create your own legacy,” pitcher/right fielder Jimmy Mussina said after last Thursday’s 6-4 quarterfinal win against Fleetwood. “We have all this history. We have Mike, we have state championships. When you make the Final 4 people are going to start talking about you.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Michael Reeder of Montoursville scores against Fleetwood at Central Columbia High School in the PIAA Class 4A quarterfinals. The Warriors won 6-4.

“People might be saying in five years, ‘That 2025 team was really good; they went on a run.’ That’s what we’re trying to do.”

They’re off to a good start. Only five other Montoursville teams have lasted longer than this one. Still, the Warriors want more. They want the whole thing.

When the playoffs started, Montoursville’s mission was to win the district championship after losing consecutive finals. The Warriors did that in impressive fashion, defeating previous champion Danville, 7-3. Then they rolled into the state tournament, blasting Crestwood, 18-0. Suddenly, they were one of just eight teams still standing and reached the Final 4 after erasing a three-run deficit and downing Fleetwood.

Now, something which seemed far off just a few weeks ago is right there for the taking. Montoursville is going after a win, but also chasing history.

“We started off with just winning the district championship and we realized, ‘Oh my goodness, we can do more, we can go farther,’” third baseman Zack Neill said. “It’s nice to be remembered as one whole family. At this point, that’s what we are. Being remembered for who we are is important.”

“The last time we were there in 2018 we thought we had some teams that could do it after that, but it’s not easy, and we got knocked out a few times but we’re here now,” Montoursville coach Jeremy Eck said. “We tell the guys it’s seven innings of the best baseball you’ve ever played and that kind of can take you to the promised land.”

Pope John II also wants to reach that destination; wants to leave its lasting impact on program history. But Montoursville is focusing more on itself than the opponent, something it has done all postseason.

It’s about each player doing his job. It’s about the next play, pitch and at-bat.

Wins never come cheap, especially in June. It’s Montoursville focusing on the little tasks all game, every game which have helped it both win big games and earn big opportunities.

It has taken every player and coach, too. The heroes have been many and production has come throughout the lineup, field and mound. Where it finishes this season is unknown, but however the season concludes, Montoursville will be remembered not as individuals but as a true team.

That is what has made this trip so rewarding for all along the ride. Eck reminded players following the quarterfinal win that they have reached the year’s final season. Win or lose, this is it. The seniors already have graduated and all but three other 4A teams have turned in their uniforms.

This team is becoming one to remember and it understands that these are the times to remember.

“At practice we’re having fun and everyone is smiling,” center fielder Brody Aldenderfer said. “We’re just taking it all in.”

As well they should. They have raised the bar at a program which already has one ascending sky-high.

Now they want to take it as high as it can go.

“Before the (Fleetwood) game Eck said, ‘Create your legacy.’” Mussina said. “With one more win, we go to the state championship and we would do that. That’s what we’re striving for right now.”

Whatever happens, this 2025 team has done something unique. Unlike the other Montoursville teams which made deep state tournament runs, this one does not possess any Division I recruits. There are no superstars; no one or two players carrying most of the load.

All carry the load equally. It’s just a band of brothers who have come together, grown up together and played really good baseball together.

What this team has achieved together this season will link all the players and coaches together as time marches on and all grow older.

Remember that.

“When we look back in 20 years, we can say we did something great all together and it took all of us for sure,” Neill said. “We’ll remember everything that we’ve done right up to this. We try to enjoy everything we can; everything that God has given us.”