They achieved exactly that Saturday afternoon.

Parker Persing scorched a go-ahead, two-run single in the fourth inning and Briar produced a game-ending strikeout, leaving the bases loaded, as Montgomery edged Lewisburg, 7-5 on a cold, blustery day. Each cousin produced two hits and Montgomery (1-0) erased a 2-0 deficit before holding off a furious seventh-inning Green Dragon rally.

“I know this is my last year, so I’m trying to make the most of it,” Parker Persing said. “We’ve all been working hard.”

It showed, especially at some critical moments. Briar hit a game-tying third-inning single before Parker’s two-out, two-run single put Montgomery ahead to stay an inning later. Freshman Gage Furman earned the win in his high school debut, while reaching base all four times and Briar stayed cool under fire in the seventh after Lewisburg scored three two-out runs and put the go-ahead runners in scoring position.

Xavier Carter of Lewisburg throws against Montgomery at Montgomery High School. Montgomery won 7-5. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Briar Persing, who will play at Penn State in two years, struck out six for a three-inning save but encountered trouble after Lincoln Ayres fought off the final strike six times and ignited an impressive Lewisburg comeback with an eight-pitch walk. Landynn Bieber, Colin Shannon and Garrett Glathar followed with singles and Montgomery’s lone error made it 7-5 while keeping the bases loaded.

Persing possesses nasty stuff, but closing this one out was more about his poise. Focusing on the next pitch instead of what just happened, the right-hander came back strong and perfectly placed a 2-2 pitch on the outside corner, delivering the game-clinching strikeout.

“I had to stay true to myself and work out of the situations that I put myself in,” Briar Persing said. “I just have to try and give them tough pitches and stay confident in myself. I don’t really focus on the bad things that happened, just on the good things like hitting spots.”

“They came to play and I give them a lot of credit. They’re a good team,” Montgomery coach Tim Persing said. “You’re happy to come away with a win like that. It could have gone the other way if they got a couple more hits, but Briar shut them down, finally, and we move onto next week and see what we can do.”

Montgomery believes it can do a lot after capturing a second straight Mid-Penn championship last spring and reaching both the District 4 Class AA championship and state tournament. Starting with a hard-fought win was encouraging, especially with outfielders Victor Ottmann and Trace Furman, both strong hitters a year ago, unavailable Saturday.

Parker Bennett (10) of Montgomery slides safely back to third base as Joel Gessner of Lewisburg can’t hold onto the ball during the 6th inning at Montgomery High School. Montgomery won 7-5. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

In their place, players like Gage Furman and Cooper Roman stepped up. Furman excelled in the lead-off spot and Roman sparked the game-tying third inning rally with a lead-off single.

“Based on last year and losing the district championship I think that really lit a fire under us,” Briar Persing said. “We have some seniors that we’ve played with for a long time, and we’re trying to make one last run at it.”

Parker Persing is one of those seniors, as well as a four-year starter who will play both baseball and football at Misericordia. His experience and hitting prowess make Persing a quality clean-up hitter and ideal for situations like the one which presented itself in the fourth inning.

An inning earlier, Furman followed Roman’s single with a walk, Parker Bennett hit an RBI grounder and Briar Persing a game-tying single. He was 2 for 2 at that point and with runners on second and third with first base open, Lewisburg intentionally walked him.

The move made strategic sense, but it also gave Parker Persing some added incentive. On cue, he smashed a liner up the middle two pitches later and Montgomery had its first lead, 4-2.

Briar Persing of Montgomery throws to Lewisburg during the 5th inning at Montgomery High School. Montgomery won 7-5. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“I kind of figured they were going to do that. I was just trying to stay within myself and get the runners home,” Parker Persing said. “I was seeing the ball really well today. I’m just trying to keep things simple and just trying to do my job.”

“It’s kind of the right thing to do, but that’s why we have Parker behind him,” Tim Persing said. “When they do stuff like that, he’s a good enough hitter and has enough power that he can make them pay.”

Before he took the mound, Briar Persing made Lewisburg pay for testing his arm. He was playing shortstop when Joel Gessner belted a two-out double to deep left field with the game tied 2-2 in the fourth inning.

Bryson gave chase, tracked the ball down and made a strong relay throw to Persing who then wheeled and fired a laser home from shallow left field. The throw hit Lincoln Miller belt high and the catcher made the quick tag for an easy out and preserved the tie.

While he played a supporting role in that sequence, Bryson took the spotlight over the first three innings, overcoming a shaky start and striking out five in three strong innings. He also likely would have hit a second inning home run had the gusty wind not knocked it back toward the fence. Bryson, Furman and Persing combined for 13 strikeouts and each pitcher took turns stranding nine runners, including one in each of the first six innings.

Parker Bennett (10) and Gage Furman (4) of Montgomery score in the 4th inning on a hit by Parker Persing (7) against Lewisburg at Montgomery High School. Montgomery won 7-5. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Lewisburg showed massive improvement from its season-opening loss against Loyalsock and Ayres, Bieber and Glathar all had two hits, while Shannon threw five good innings. Both teams can take positives from the game and that is especially key for Montgomery which faces another challenge when it heads to Hughesville Monday.

“It was a good team effort. Everybody was battling in there. That’s all positive stuff moving ahead,” Tim Persing said. “I’m excited to see how these guys come together.”

Lewisburg 200 000 3–5 8 5

Montgomery 002 203 x–7 6 1

Colin Shannon, Xavier Carter (6) and Landynn Bieber. Mason Bryson, Gage Furman (4), Briar Persing (5) and Lincoln Miller. W–Furman. L–Shannon. SV–Persing.

Parker Bennett (10) of Montgomery is safe at first base as Garrett Glathar (24) of Lewisburg can’t hold on to the throw to first base during the 4th inning at Montgomery High School. Montgomery won 7-5. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Top Lewisburg hitters: Lincoln Ayres 2-3, BB, RBI, R; Bieber 2-4, RBI, R; Garrett Glathar 2-4, RBI; Joel Gessner 1-3, 2B; Shannon 1-3, RBI. Top Montgomery hitters: Persing 2-3, BB, 2 RBIs, R; Parker Persing 2-4, 2 RBIs; Parker Bennett 1-4, 2R, RBI; Cooper Roman 1-3, R; Gage Fuman 3 BB, 3R.

Records: Montgomery 1-0. Lewisburg 0-2.

Lincoln Miller (8) of Montgomery tags out Landon Michaels (6) of Lewisburg at home plate at Montgomery High School. Montgomery won 7-5. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Lincoln Miller (8) of Montgomery tags out Landon Michaels (6) of Lewisburg at home plate at Montgomery High School. Montgomery won 7-5. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette