WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - Another sporting event - outside!

Yes, games are returning with fans, players and umpires, too.

West Penn came out on the short end of the stick, 16-6, against Pine Grove on Tuesday in a Schuylkill Teener League Junior Division game. But everyone agrees that it felt good to no longer be cooped up.

Fresh air and a game give rise to even the casual onlooker, and there were plenty of fans taking in the contest on Flat Hill, just south of Pine Grove.

Things started well for the WP Mustangs. They raced out to a 1-0 lead in the first, thanks to two walks and a fielder’s choice that allowed Luke Kane to cross the plate.

However, the home club quickly forged in front, using a three-run rally to take a lead it would not relinquish the remainder of this six-inning, 10-run rule outcome. The rally featured singles by Tyler Drumheller and Dylan Ward, with Owen Hannedy doubling and scoring on a passed ball for a 3-1 lead.

In the second, Pine Grove exploded for seven runs. The same cast of characters were at the forefront: Ward and Drumheller singled, while Hannedy poked his second double. Ned Boyer had the big blast in the rally - a triple.

“We only had three days of practice, and it showed,” said West Penn skipper Jamie Kane. “Our fundamentals were lacking, but that will get better with practice.”

West Penn had its best rally in the fifth, pushing across four runs. Luke Kane, Denny Krell, and Jim Edmonds each had hits in the rally, coupled with a Logan Morgans double that sliced the lead to 12-6.

That rally seemed to lift the Mustangs outlook; however, it was short-lived.

The home club quickly went for the juggler, scoring four times in the home sixth to end the contest.

“I know we’re going to get better,” Kane said. “Like all the teams in the league, a lack of practice is showing, but once we get back out on the field, we can work the kinks out.”

West Penn 110 040 - 6 6 3

Pine Grove 370 204 - 16 9 0

Kane, Rojas (3) and Vicolits; Drumheller, Boyer (3), Barra (5) and Ward; W - Boyer. L - Kane.