Softball Game Preview: Penn Manor Comets vs. Central York Panthers

The Penn Manor Comets will head out to square off against the Central York Panthers at 4:15 p.m. on Friday. The teams are rolling into the game with opposing streaks: Penn Manor has struggled recently with five losses in a row, while Central York will arrive with three straight wins.

Penn Manor fought the good fight in their extra-innings matchup against Twin Valley on Thursday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Raiders by a score of 3-2. That's two games in a row now that the Comets have lost by just one run.

Juleigh Bowmaster spent all eight innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and one unearned) runs on eight hits and racked up six Ks. She has been consistent : she hasn't given up more than one walk any time she's pitched this season.

At the plate, Mia Skiadas was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI. Another player making a difference was Riley Frank, who scored two runs while going 2-for-4.

Meanwhile, Central York faced Lampeter-Strasburg in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Tuesday. Central York blew past Lampeter-Strasburg 13-6. Considering the Panthers have won three games by more than six runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.

Central York let Brooklyn Shaffer and Katie Gable run wild. Shaffer scored two runs and stole a base while going 3-for-5, while Gable went 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs. What's more, Shaffer posted three RBI, the most she's had since back in May of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Ellie Lamer, who scored two runs while going 2-for-4.

Central York kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 14 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in four consecutive contests.

Central York's record is now 4-2. As for Penn Manor, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-5.

Penn Manor might still be hurting after the 12-1 loss they got from Central York in their previous meeting back in May of 2024. Can Penn Manor avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.