JACKSON TWP — Altoona's Blair County Ballpark has become Cory Mazzoni's personal field of dreams.

The Seneca Valley High pitcher wrapped up his junior season by leading the Raiders to a 9-1 victory over Souderton in the PIAA Quad A championship game June 16.

Mazzoni struck out 10 in the nine-inning win and gave up the one run on just three hits.

Eight days after the state title game, Mazzoni returned to the same venue, which is home to the Altoona Curve Class AA baseball team.

This time, he was there for a tryout with the New York Yankees' Area Code Team.

Mazzoni impressed the scouts enough to earn a spot on the team and will take part in a practice session Tuesday at Yankee Stadium before flying to a tournament involving other Area Code teams Aug. 5 to 10 in Long Beach, Calif.

"It will be pretty exciting pitching off the mound at Yankee Stadium," Mazzoni said.

The same talent Mazzoni displayed for the Raiders showed up at the tryout in Altoona.

"I've got three pitches, a fastball, curveball and changeup," said Mazzoni. "My fastball is my out pitch and I've hit 94 (mph) on the radar gun with it. Usually, it's around 89 or 90."

Following his successful tryout, Mazzoni joined the Beaver Valley Red Sox in the Western Pennsylvania Elite Baseball League.

"I wasn't that tired, but I did take a couple of weeks off after the high school season ended," he said. "But after that, I was ready to go."

Red Sox coach Patrick Cutshall saw no sign of wear and tear on Mazzoni's right arm.

"I didn't see him tire at all," he said. "He was in the same form he had in the high school season.

"Obviously, he's got the great fastball," Cutshall added. "But he's got two other pitches with the curve and changeup. What makes Cory unique is that he can hit either side of the plate with any of his pitches."

Mazzoni compiled a 1-1 record with a 3.37 ERA with the Red Sox, with 23 strikeouts and six walks in 18X\c innings pitched. Those numbers helped the team compile an overall record of 20-11.

The Area Code Baseball tournament Mazzoni will be competing in will feature teams sponsored by six other major league clubs, including the White Sox, Diamondbacks, Nationals, Rangers, Brewers and Reds.

While a score will be kept, talent will be the focus as college and pro scouts, as well as agents, will be looking on.

That's something Mazzoni must get used to, as scouts will be a common sight next spring at Seneca Valley, but he's taking it all in stride.

"I'm not really going to be thinking about that," he said. "I just have to go out and concentrate on baseball."

Since its inception in 1986, Area Code Baseball has featured more than 300 players who have gone on to play in the major leagues.

Though the lure of being a professional baseball player this time next year must be tempting, Mazzoni is staying grounded.

Even if he is drafted, he's not ruling out pitching in college.

"I'm just going to work as hard as I can and go wherever that takes me."