Southern Columbia Crowned State Champs with 9-2 Victory Over Mercyhurst Prep
By: Carrie Miner Yaple | SportzWire | June 12, 2026 | Photo courtesy Mason Dennenfelser @masonvis
Southern Columbia Crowned State Champs with 9-2 Victory Over Mercyhurst Prep
CATAWISSA — Southern Columbia put together a complete performance Thursday afternoon, combining timely hitting, strong pitching and error-free defense to earn a 9-2 victory over Mercyhurst Prep in state playoff action.
The Tigers established control early, scoring two runs in the first inning before adding single runs in the second and third. A three-run fourth inning stretched the lead to 7-0 and left Mercyhurst Prep facing an uphill battle for the remainder of the game.
Southern Columbia added two more runs in the sixth inning to cap its scoring and finish with nine runs on seven hits.
Junior Levi Everitt turned in a dominant effort on the mound, pitching all seven innings for the Tigers. He allowed five hits and two runs while striking out seven and walking one. Everitt kept Mercyhurst Prep off the scoreboard through the first five innings and consistently worked ahead in counts to limit scoring opportunities.
The Tigers received production throughout the lineup. Junior A. Hockenbroch led the way with two hits, including a triple, and drove in two runs. Senior Brayden Andrews collected two hits, scored twice and added an RBI, while Andrew Yost drove in two runs. Andrew Novak contributed an RBI double and Kole Myers scored twice while knocking in another run.
Southern Columbia also took advantage of extra opportunities, drawing five walks and benefiting from five Mercyhurst Prep errors.
The Lakers broke through in the sixth inning when Zack Kruszewski singled and later scored. Noah Reigel doubled during the rally, while Hunter Krahe and Cameron Aresco each recorded an RBI to account for Mercyhurst Prep's two runs.
Kruszewski was the offensive standout for the Lakers, finishing 3-for-3 and accounting for more than half of the team's five hits. Reigel added a hit and a run scored, while Krahe contributed a hit and an RBI.
Mercyhurst Prep used three pitchers in the contest. Noah Reigel worked the opening inning, Brady Rice pitched the next three frames and Hayden Spencer finished the final two innings.
Defensively, Southern Columbia was flawless. The Tigers did not commit an error and turned a double play behind Everitt. Mercyhurst Prep finished with five errors, several of which led to unearned runs as Southern Columbia steadily expanded its advantage.
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