Spotlight on Sports: Brumbaugh set to take the next step in softball career

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: March 2, 2022

By Kenny Varner

LEWISTOWN – The eyes of the MIfflin County softball scene were focused Wednesday night on local standout Jesse Brumbaugh as she set her sights to the next level, playing at the next level as a member of the Penn College Wildcats softball team.

Brumbaugh sat front and center in front a large group of family, friends and coaches that were there to celebrate in the college signing.

“The journey has just started,” said her father John Brumbaugh, officially kicking off the night’s official celebration. “This is going to open up a lot of doors and a lot more fun. She’ll get to go places and meet different people and see different things. Most important, she is going to get a degree in something important. It’s going to be spectacular.”

Brumbaugh was the girl of the hour as she received many different words of encouragement from her mother, coaches from her previous traveling team in the Juniata Jaguars and her current travel team the Hurricanes.

The MIfflin County senior is known for her hard hitting and he prowess at first base. She will be one of the anchors for the Lady Huskies softball team as it returns from a successful 2021 campaign.

When it was her time to sign, she took center stage and signed with her family and her biggest fan by her side. After signing she explained her reason for heading to Williamsport and Penn College.

“I picked Penn College because I really liked their PA (Physician Assistant) program. I visited there and loved everything about it. I loved the campus, the dorms and anything you can think of you could ask for in a college it just fit me,” said Jesse. “I wanted to go there and I saw it was division lll so that would work for me with my college courses. It wouldn’t take up too much time and I really love softball but I want to focus more on my major. So I picked Dlll and the team I loved.”

Brumbaugh started out her career playing baseball in her early years and then moved to play on the Decatur softball team as soon as she moved up from baseball.

She later became a member of the Juniata Jags softball team where she helped her team to numerous wins in her time there. Despite being just a senior in high school, her career has already been nine year journey with more on the way.

Brumbaugh feels really good going into her senior year and is excited to get back into the softball diamond.

“I feel pretty good! I’ve been working very hard and have been working out since school started to get stronger,” added Jesse. “I’m just super excited to for the year to start. I’m hoping I get to play and I hope I’ll do well.”

Brumbaugh had some words of advice for younger girls just starting out in her sport.

“If you want it you need to go for it,” said Jesse. “Don’t let anything get in your way. If your parents aren’t sure, convince them. Make sure they really know how serious you are about it and definitely work for it.”

Brumbaugh is a fine example of what hard work and dedication can produce.

What it produced was a trip to the college ranks in softball and a bright future in the physical assistant field.

Good luck to you!