Former Trojans digging in for Juniata down stretch

HUNTINGDON — Juniata College softball is eyeing success in the playoffs in 2024 and as they attempt to put together a string of wins down the stretch, they’ll get help from former Mt. Union students — Morgan Brumbaugh and Chelsea Williams.

The former is currently batting .333 with 16 RBIs, two home runs, and nine runs scored for the Eagles.

“I believe that mindset is everything at the plate. If you approach your at bat with a lack of confidence there is a very small chance you will be successful. Hitting and softball in general is a game of failure. I’ve worked on accepting failure as an opportunity to learn and make adjustments in my future at-bats,” Brumbaugh said. She earned four varsity letters with Mt. Union and was an All-State First Team player as a catcher by the Pennsylvania Softball Coaches Association in 2018.

“One of the biggest things I did in the offseason was watching film. I would watch my at bats, and other successful hitters’ at-bats. Since I knew I was going to be joining another conference this year I also watched new teams that I have never played against before to try and recognize some pitch sequence patterns to be aware of during my at bats.”

Brumbaugh, a junior utility player and catcher, is from McVeytown.. Before joining Juniata, she went to Shippensburg University for two years as a third baseman.

“My time at Shippensburg was nothing short of a great time. I really enjoyed playing softball with my teammates there and being a part of the first conference championship in a couple of years was awesome. Having that experience helped me transition to Juniata by leaving me eager. I want to play a role in helping this team achieve something that hasn’t been done in a long time here either. The big life lesson I left Shippensburg with was learning to accept failure and letting it fuel you to grow and succeed,” Brumbaugh said.

What are some main differences between college and high school ball?

“College ball is different from high school because we get to be playing and everyone wants to be there at practices and games. Overall, college softball offers a higher level of competition, skill development, and exposure compared to high school softball. It requires a greater level of commitment and dedication from athletes but also provides valuable opportunities for growth, both on and off the field,” Williams said.

Playing at Mt. Union provided useful lessons for college whether it’s in regards to balance or distributing the right amount of time to each task.

“My playing days at Mt. Union prepared me for college ball because it helped me with my time management skills. Balancing academics, athletics, and other commitments is a crucial skill for college athletes,” Williams said.

Williams, currently a freshman outfielder, played four years with the Trojans in softball. She was an ICC North All-Star in 2023. She was also a 2021 D6 Class 2A Champion. Williams also played four years on the Trojans’ basketball and volleyball squads. She earned two varsity letters.

“Some things that I have really focused on this year to improve my game is being receptive to feedback from my coaches and teammates. Actively seek opportunities for improvement and embrace constructive criticism to grow and develop as an athlete,” Williams noted.

She added that her head coach, McKenna Garlock, has been a vital part in helping her get adjusted to college life.

“A coach like Coach Garlock puts players first. By making sure they are both mentally and physically strong. Coach provides support, guidance, skill development, and mentorship both on and off the field,” Williams highlighted.

Williams has also received mentorship from her Juniata teammates.

“Overall, my teammates have played a crucial role in my journey as a college athlete, serving as mentors, friends, and supporters every step of the way. Seeing how hard everyone is working both in and out of the classroom is important to me,” Williams added.

When it comes to being a utility player, it’s important to keep practicing each position so you don’t get too rusty.

“Ever since I was little I have practiced in every position every time I went to the field. That is how I ensured I didn’t get rusty and kept myself on top of my game. I knew if I could play anywhere a coach needed me to, I would be more likely to earn a spot on the field,” Brumbaugh said.

“My biggest tip for any athlete trying to do the same would be to understand that some people aren’t always going to understand you because of how driven and dedicated you have to be to your sport and that’s okay because at the end of the day you’re not playing for others, you’re playing for yourself and God who gave you the ability to.”

At one point Juniata won eight straight games this regular season, which included a 12-3 road win versus Elizabethtown and a 15-7 home victory over Mt. Aloysius. Since the winning streak, the Eagles lost four in a row. Then, Juniata captured three consecutive wins, including a doubleheader sweep against Scranton over the weekend.

“The key for the team’s success is that we just have fun together. Everyone wants to be there and holds each other to a high standard. We are a family,” Williams said.

Brumbaugh added that there is still plenty of work to do before the Eagles’ season comes to a close.

“We are approaching the end of our season but we all know there is still a lot of work to be done. We know that we can improve moving forward by starting to make adjustments earlier, eliminating mental errors, and playing for something bigger than ourselves. I believe that this team is very eager for something in the postseason and the end of our regular season is definitely go time. There are many really strong components to our team at Juniata such as support of others, communication, and empathy, but I believe the strongest would have to be our leadership,” Brumbaugh noted.

“Coach Garlock has been very big on installing players’ leadership. This team does a great job of allowing every player to be seen, heard, and supported. I believe we also do a great job of understanding that someone who leads on Monday may not be the same person who leads on Friday. Leading is a natural thing and this team has plenty of natural leaders whose personalities and leadership skills blend well,” Brumbaugh said.

Juniata College (16-14) hosts Lycoming today for a doubleheader. The Eagles also host Penn State Altoona on Thursday for a twin bill. Juniata wraps up their regular season on May 4 against Catholic.