Penns Valley uses 4-run second to hold onto a victory of PO

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: May 5, 2022

By Kenny Varner

SPRING MILLS – The Rams are starting to catch fire.

After defeating a tough Bald Eagle squad last week, the Penns Valley Rams softball team has not lost a game and have jumped a over the .500 mark.

Playing Thursday against a very feisty and hard hitting Philipsburg-Osceola team, the Lady Rams mustered a strong 4-run second inning and held onto to take home the 6-1 Mountain League victory.

“There is a part of our order I wouldn’t trade any of our top six. They’re tough. It’s only a matter of time until they get dialed in and and start hitting the ball around,” said Penns Valley coach Terry Bumgardner. “A buddy of mine always says hitting is contagious and I think that is what happened in that inning. It also happened in the fifth to add some insurance runs.”

Powering the offensive attack were Noelle Webb and Kailen Winkleblech, who both tallied 2-hit efforts.

On the mound for Penns Valley was Taylor Bumgardner. Bumgardner allowed just one run, scattering four hits and struck out five.

Taking the loss for the Mounties was Alivia Bizzari. Bizzari scattered nine hits while striking out two.

The Mounties were led offensively on the night by London Cutter who posted two doubles. Philipsburg-Osceola hit the ball hard on the evening but it was stopped by the tough defensive effort by the Lady Rams.

“We didn’t hit bad but I thought we were done with these this year, guess not,” said Philipsburg-Osceola coach Steve Frank on the hard hits by his team being hit to the defense. “We’ve seem to have a lot of those games this year. A lot. Hopefully they are going to start following here soon. They (Penns Valley) definitely hit the ball hard.”

After a scoreless first inning, the Lady Rams were looking to put some runs on the board in the bottom of the second after sending the Mounties down 1-2-3 in the top of the inning.

Winkleblech got the inning going as she blasted a double into left center.

Ellie Coursen hustled out an infield hit.

Bumgardner helped her own cause as she singled in Winkleblech. Coursen tried to score but was tug out.

With one out, Clara Brooks put down a bunt a beat the throw.

Haylee Davis loaded the bases with a single into left. She was replaced on the base path by pinch runner Lauren McMurtrie.

Teammate Scotty Dinges brought in Davis and McMurtie blasting a long double, upping the Penns Valley lead to 4-0.

The Mounties battled back in the top of the fifth, Jocelyn Williams started off the inning with a single into left. She moved to second on a wild pitch and later scored on an RBI double, making it a 4-1 contest.

In the fifth, the Rams added two more runs and then held the Mounties in check for their final six outs as Penns Valley was able to take home the win.

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