HARRISBURG - Tanner Miller looked up into the grandstand Friday night and couldn't believe his eyes.
Spread out over several sections of Metro Bank Park were roughly 50 friends, family and classmates, loudly cheering for the Upper Dauphin infielder as he played for Team Pennsylvania.
One day later, Tevin Murray had a similar experience.
As the North Schuylkill left-hander took to the hill in the third inning against Team Maryland, he couldn't help but notice the large collection of college and professional scouts in the sections behind home plate pointing radar guns at his every delivery.
As the two players mingled on the field after Sun-
day's contest, those were just two of the things they'll cherish after playing in this weekend's 3rd annual Big 26 Baseball Classic on City Island in Harrisburg.
Miller played second base in all three games, while Murray pitched three innings Saturday and played three innings at first base Sunday. Pennsylvania swept the series for the second straight year, winning 13-1, 5-0 and 6-4.
"This was a great experience ... the best baseball experience I've ever had," said Miller, who will be a senior this fall for the Trojans. "Playing on a major league field, meeting all these new players and playing with a wonderful team.
"I had probably the biggest fan section here Friday."
Miller played four innings Friday, the first six frames Saturday and the first five innings Sunday, going 1-for-5 with a walk and two runs scored in six plate appearances.
Friday, he singled and scored in Pennsylvania's five-run seventh inning, then walked and scored in the eighth.
After an 0-for-2 day Saturday, he was 0-for-2 again Sunday. He hit a hard liner to center field that was caught on a diving play by Maryland's Chase Ragsdale in the second inning, then was thrown out after hitting a sharp grounder to the third baseman in the fourth inning.
"It was so fun," Miller said. "It was just a thrill. I felt like a Major League Baseball player basically, with the locker room and playing on this field."
Murray was chosen as the Pennsylvania Player of the Game after pitching three scoreless innings Saturday. A junior-to-be, Murray gave up just one single, walked none and struck out three as he pitched the third, fourth and fifth innings.
Sunday, Murray played three innings at first base, grounding out to first base in his only plate appearance.
"It felt great. It was a huge accomplishment," Murray said. "I felt really good.
"(Saturday) I got on the mound and took it all in. As soon as I looked up in the stands, I knew it was going to be good. I just played my game and came out well.
"It's definitely different. It's crazy. I never expected to be playing here. It's really fun. It's awesome."
The Big 26 Classic was more than just the three games against Maryland, as the players also participated in a Challenger Game on Thursday and took part in a showcase workout for coaches and scouts Friday.
Both area players said they were able to learn something from the Pennsylvania coaching staff, led by North Penn head coach Kevin Manero.
"The coaches were a lot of help, especially at first base with my footwork, hitting-wise with my hips and pitching with my hips," Murray said. "They helped out a lot."
Added Miller: "The biggest thing is always hustle, because you don't know who is watching you at all times. Hustle on and off the field, and play my heart out like it's my last game."
Another part of the Big 26 Classic weekend is that the players from both teams live with a host family.
Miller, Murray, Governor Mifflin's Zach Sczepkowski and Strath Haven's James Kantner all stayed with Dave and Barb Trimbur and their family at their home in Manchester Township, York County.
Trimbur is the executive director of the Big 33 Scholarship Foundation, and his son was one of the batboys for the series.
"It's like we're brothers now," Miller said of the host family experience. "We'll be back next year, and the years after. We're always invited back to their house. They're like mom and dad to me now."
Added Murray: "It was a lot of fun this weekend. It came to a quick end, but it was fun the last 3-4 nights. We had a lot of fun with great people."