Over a three-year span, the Tyrone Golden Eagles baseball team made a significant impact. They clinched the Mountain League Championship, faced a COVID-related season cancellation, and won a PIAA State Championship. Many players from this period have gone on to continue their baseball careers at the college level. This spring, the careers of two of these players came to a close, while a third is poised for a bright future.
Corey Lehman, a 2019 graduate and former catcher and relief pitcher for the Golden Eagles, played a key role in Tyrone’s first Mountain League title in decades. After graduation, Lehman joined Penn State DuBois, where his freshman year was interrupted by the pandemic. Despite this setback, Lehman took advantage of the extra year of eligibility, playing first base through 2024.
During his time with the Lions, Lehman contributed to the team’s victories in the 2021 and 2023 USCAA Small College World Series. The team also won its third PSUAC conference title in 2024. Lehman earned multiple accolades, including being named a USCAA All-American twice and receiving PSUAC first-team honors twice.
Lehman graduated with a degree in applied materials engineering and now works at American Eagle Paper Mills. Reflecting on his college experience, Lehman noted, “Although it was hard at times to balance school and baseball, it was a wonderful experience. The best part was seeing the team grow, believe in each other, and have fun.”
In 2020, Kevin Lehner faced the challenge of losing his senior season due to COVID but still chose to play for Penn State Harrisburg. Despite increased competition from returning upperclassmen, Lehner secured a spot on the team and played 18 games as a freshman. Over the next three years, he became a starting right fielder and set several records at PSU Harrisburg. Lehner was named the United East Male Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year and earned multiple all-region and all-conference honors.
Lehner concluded his career with 172 hits, including 34 home runs, and finished among the top in various statistical categories at PSU Harrisburg. He was also a four-time NCAA Regional participant and a three-time conference champion. “Playing college baseball was one of the best decisions of my life,” Lehner said. “It was challenging to balance with studying for a civil engineering degree, but it taught me valuable lessons in time management and leadership.”
Rodney Shultz was another standout player from Tyrone’s 2021 championship team. That year, Shultz led the Golden Eagles to their first PIAA Class 3A State Championship. He then joined the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, where he accumulated several accolades over three years. In 2023, Shultz was instrumental in UPJ’s AAABA National Championship win and received numerous honors, including First Team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West selection.
Shultz also had a notable stint with the Williamsport Crosscutters in the MLB Draft League, earning Pitcher of the Week honors. He was later recruited by the University of Cincinnati, where he will continue his baseball career and complete his degree in business management.
“My expectations for this season are to win,” Shultz said. “I want to win games and set myself up for a chance to be drafted in 2025.”
The Tyrone Golden Eagles baseball program continues to produce talented players who exemplify the values of hard work and dedication, both on and off the field.
