Zach Lehman, a senior at Bellefonte Area High School, capped a breakout season by being named the 2026 Express baseball Player of the Year, a testament to his dual‑threat dominance on the mound and at the plate. He posted a 3.04 ERA over 68 innings, struck out more than 100 batters — becoming only the fourth pitcher in program history to reach that milestone — and maintained a .362 batting average, second highest on his team. His on‑base percentage sat at .537, and he logged nine multi‑hit outings, underscoring his consistency at the plate.
Lehman’s commitment to Binghamton University signals his ambition to compete at the collegiate level, where his pitching pedigree and offensive versatility should translate into immediate impact. In addition to his ERA, he recorded a 1.75 ERA and a 1.029 WHIP across 68 innings, while allowing opponents a .212 batting average, figures that placed him among the most effective pitchers in the region.
Freshman Takoda Ripka was honored as the 2026 Express Freshman of the Year after leading his team with a .382 batting average, a .488 on‑base percentage and a .485 slugging percentage. He drove in 16 runs, scored 17, and collected five doubles and a triple, showcasing a blend of power and precision that bodes well for future seasons.
Evan Mattern, another standout, finished the year with a .430 average, ten doubles, a triple and a home run, and topped the area in hits (34), RBIs (29) and runs (25). His performance kept him in serious consideration for the Express Player of the Year award, highlighting the depth of talent across the local leagues.
A New Generation of Talent
Blake Walker of Central Mountain emerged as a dual threat pitcher and hitter, posting a 2.40 ERA and an OPS of 1.192, while Watt Probst led the area with a .451 batting average and a .567 on‑base percentage. Carsen Henry shrank his ERA to 1.33 over 47 1/3 innings, and Brody Swanger paced Sugar Valley with a .408 average and 18 runs, rounding out a season rich with emerging stars.