Earlier in the day and prior to participating in the Williamsport softball tournament for the first time on Friday night, Mikayla Bower told her mother she was due for a big hit.
Later that night, Bower stroked a line drive down the left-field line, scoring before the relay in started. It was the first of four home runs for Williamsport as it easily won the first round game over Penns Valley, 15-5. Bower saw her first two innings of varsity pitching experience, helping sister Alexis, who tossed three perfect innings, get the win.
"I was smiling the whole time I was going around the bases," Mikayla said with an ear-to-ear smile still on her face. "I haven't been completely happy with my hitting this season and that hit was the big break I was waiting for."
Mikayla Bower's home run capped a two-run second inning along with giving an offensive boost to a Williamsport squad that at times has been spotty.
"We just need to go into the batter's box and be aggressive and swing at our pitches," Williamsport coach Quint Bower said. "There have been times this year where I thought the offense was ready to go, especially after some 10-run games. This team has no idea how far it can go if it can score runs. Tonight, we put the bat on the ball and showed we can score runs."
Williamsport (9-0) took advantage of Alexis Bower's two strikeouts to end the third inning, keeping the momentum going after scoring its first two runs in the second.
The top of the third was highlighted by three home runs, all inside-the-park homers. Alexis Bower, not wanting her sister to have all the glory, homered after Brooke Pompeo and Tiana McCormick reached with a double and single, respectively.
Dominique Thomas, who made a long running catch in center field for the first out of the fifth, tripled and homered in two at-bats as part of the 12-run third inning. Pompeo, along with her double, connected with the Millionaires final home run with a line drive down the right-field line.
"Our team was unbelievable with the bats tonight. I swear every girl had a hit," Mikayla Bower said. "Players off the bench came in and got a hit. I just loved being part of this game."
Williamsport 02(12) 01-15 14 2
Penns Valley 000 05-5 5 1
Alexis Bower, Mikalya Bower (4) and Heather Inners, Marissa Crane (4). Maggie Lynch, Kylee Wasson (2) and Nicki Harbaugh.
WP-A. Bower. LP-Lynch.
Top Williamsport hitters: Brooke Pompeo 2-4, HR (1-on, 3rd), 2B, 2 RBI; Tiana McCormick 2-4, 2 runs, SB; A. Bower 2-4, HR (2-on, 3rd), 4 RBI, 2 runs; Dominique Thomas 2-4, HR (1-on, 3rd), 3B, 2 runs, 2 RBI; M. Bower 2-3, HR (1-on, 2nd), 2 RBI, 2 runs; Kaitlyn Caringi 2-3, 2 2B, 2 runs. Top Penns Valley hitters: Morgan Roger 2B, 2 RBI; Megan Houser 2-3, 2 RBI.
Records: Williamsport 9-0. Penns Valley 2-9.
Next: Williamsport vs. Towanda, today, 10 a.m.
