Montgomery rallies vs. Muncy baseball, wins Mid-Penn title | News, Sports, Jobs

That’s something Montgomery was clearly aware of as it entered the bottom of the seventh down 7-3. Despite facing overwhelming odds, with Muncy putting forth an excellent defensive showing through the first six innings, it didn’t appear dejected as it looked to rally.

That attitude resonated in the outcome, as the Red Raiders stepped up when it mattered the most. Two walks to kick things off helped them get started before back-to-back straight hits – coupled with chaos in the infield on the ensuing at-bat – put them in a position to tie.

From there, Briar Persing would get in off a wild pitch from Muncy reliever Stiles Eyer to tie it. Then, a well-placed ball from Victor Ottman sealed it, as Montgomery sophomore Parker Persing traversed past home to put the game-winning run on the board as Montgomery went on to win a thriller over its rival, 8-7, to capture the Mid-Penn title.

“I was on third and with Victor Ottman coming up, I knew he’d put one in play,” said Persing on the play. “It’s awesome. We knew it was going to be closer today and we were just ready to battle. We were all confident we’d have that game.”

Nick Delany of Muncy is safe at third base on a steal as Connor Pugerbach of Montgomery tries to make the play during the third inning in Montgomery Wednesday afternoon. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Briar Persing and Parker Bennett each batted in vital runs and kept outs off the board in the process, playing a big role in the rally. With his bouncer to left field, Persing posted his second RBI of the day, playing a role in both the team’s attempts at chipping away early and finishing the job late.

“He threw a second pitch curveball, and I wasn’t expecting that. He was pretty confident, and I was ready to see the pitch again and just put a good swing on it,” said Persing on the play. “We just had a tough loss against South and it’s good to bounce back against our cross-town rivals.”

“Muncy is a great team and just to get that done, it shows our potential,” said Bennett, who kicked off the seventh inning scoring with a well-placed ball in left center. “It’s amazing, especially against our cross-town rivals. Just feels good to get the win.”

That’s an attitude that’s consistent throughout the whole team and rightfully so. Not only did the Red Raiders defeat Muncy for the second straight time this season but they also clinched the Mid-Penn title with the win, dethroning last season’s champs in the process.

“We haven’t done that in a long time,” said Montgomery head coach Tim Persing on the accomplishment. “You’ve got to bring it right from the get-go or you’re going to have to do things like this and fight back, but they did a great job. They stayed in it.”

Carter Fiegles of Muncy as Lincoln Miller of Montgomery tries to make the play in the first inning in Montgomery Wednesday afternoon. Montgomery won 8-7. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

It was by no means a perfect victory, as Montgomery’s slow start put it in that late-game hole.

Starting pitcher Briar Persing struggled in the game’s early goings, issuing four walks and allowing five hits through the first three innings as the Red Raiders quickly fell behind 6-1. It was an abnormal start for an ace that normally doesn’t issue many walks but in cases like these, it isn’t always how you start.

Persing would close out his day by retiring two straight sides in the fourth and fifth, capping his day with a total of ten strikeouts to just four walks. Although he obviously regrets allowing those runs in the first place, keeping Muncy at bay was important in keeping the team in position to come back.

“I was telling myself to pick myself up and knowing my teammates had my back help. They had my back, and I had their backs,” said Persing. “I just started throwing strikes and it worked out.”

“He was kind of struggling a little bit tonight and I just tried to tell him to relax and that you’re not always going to have your best stuff as a pitcher,” said coach Persing on Briar. “You’ve just got to battle through it and that’s what he did.”

Kadyn Berry of Muncy pitches in the first inning against Montgomery in Montgomery Wednesday afternoon. Montgomery won 8-7. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Parker Bennett filled in and did a decent job of alleviating further damage. Although he allowed a run in the seventh due to a bases-loaded walk, he struck out two and with a fly out to centerfield, they got out of the hole mostly unscathed.

With the win, the Red Raiders improved to 15-1 on the season and head into their closing stretch with a lot of confidence. They’ll look to close out their remaining three games on a high note, starting with Bucktail on Wednesday, before turning their focus to the postseason.

Muncy 222,000 1 – 7 7 2

Montgomery 011 100 5 – 8 10 0

Kadyn Berry, Stiles Eyer (7) and Braydon Kamerer. Briar Persing, Parker Bennett (6) and Lincoln Miller. W – Bennett. L – Eyer.

Briar Persing of Montgomery pitches in the first inning against Muncy in Montgomery Wednesday afternoon. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Top Muncy hitters: Dominic Guardini, 2-3, 2B, RBI, run; Landon Wommer 1-4, 2 RBIs. Top Montgomery hitters: Briar Persing 2-4, 2B, 2 RBIs, run; Victor Ottman 1-4, 2 RBIs. Parker Bennett 1-4, RBI, run; Cooper Roman 1-2, run.

Records: Muncy 11-5 (8-3 Mid-Penn); Montgomery 15-1 (11-0 Mid-Penn).

Landon Wommer of Muncy is safe at second on a steam as Cooper Roman of Montgomery tries to make the tag in Montgomery Wednesday afternoon. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Liam Adams of Muncy tries to make the play at second as Blake Fry of Montgomery slides safely into second after Adams dropped the ball in Montgomery Wednesday afternoon. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Stiles Eyer of Muncy celebrates scoring in the third inning against Montgomery in Montgomery Wednesday afternoon. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Noah Confer of Muncy tags out Lincoln Miller of Montgomery in the 4th inning in Montgomery Wednesday afternoon. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Loyalsock defeated South Williamsport in boys tennis, 3-1, in the first round of the District 4 team tournament to …

Nolah Moyer threw her second consecutive three-inning perfect game and also went 3 for 3 with a grand slam, two …

ELIZABETHTOWN — Junior Kailey Stocker scored a team-high four goals to lead the Lycoming College women’s …