Monday night will see the PIAA Class 5A baseball semifinals pit two of Pennsylvania’s most dominant programs against each other as Hollidaysburg travels to First Commonwealth Field to meet DuBois in a highly anticipated showdown.
The matchup was not originally on DuBois baseball coach Josh Johnson’s 2026 varsity schedule, a surprise that underscores the rarity of the encounter and the stakes involved for both sides.
The Pitchers’ Profiles
At the heart of the contest will be a pitcher’s duel between DuBois’ senior right-hander Noah Farrell and Hollidaysburg’s junior ace Vince Boland, each boasting unbeaten records and sub‑1.00 ERAs that have left opposing lineups scrambling.
Farrell arrives with a 7‑0 record, a 0.60 ERA and 88 strikeouts, having just thrown an 89‑pitch no‑hitter in the District 8‑9 subregionals against Taylor Allderdice, while Boland, a freshman sensation a year ago, posted a 9‑0 record, a 0.75 ERA and 87 strikeouts, and even recorded the final out in the PIAA semifinal game as a ninth‑grader.
Hollidaysburg’s recent dominance over DuBois is stark, with an 8‑1 record since 2017, and the team’s offense has been equally potent, hitting 17 home runs this season, led by junior Mason Dinkfelt’s seven round‑trippers.
Adding a layer of national intrigue, several Hollidaysburg players have tasted the Little League World Series, bringing a World Series‑like pressure experience that could prove decisive in the high‑stakes environment.