Mikayla Pengelly was anxious for her home softball game against Northwestern today.

In every other case, Pengelly always highly anticipates each contest.

This time around, though, Pengelly’s presence on the field today - or whenever she is cleared to play - will be a life-changing moment she will never forget.

It was preceded by her last one that will also fall into the same column.

On April 13 in a game against Pen Argyl, Pengelly laced a two-run, RBI single and turned the bag headed for second.

She slid headfirst into the second base bag and was tagged out on the cutoff throw from the outfield, but hit her head on the leg of the shortstop.

From there, Pengelly was in a state she never previously encountered. She was unconscious for several minutes, and then her body began to quiver and shake.

When she regained consciousness, Pengelly slowly began to regain her stature.

“It was really weird,” she recalled. “I was dizzy and everything felt cloudy. I couldn’t speak at first, but then I was uttering sounds slurring my words. I wasn’t making any sense.

“I felt like I was possessed.”

Pengelly officially suffered a concussion and was taken off the field on a stretcher. Both teams were extremely shaken by the incident, and they and the umpiring crew agreed to end the game.

Palmerton head coach Bob Hock also experienced a high level of anxiety during the ordeal.

“We were all scared because she was out there and didn’t move,” he recalled. “When the trainers went to help her, she appeared to be having a seizure.

“We were all somber, and we knew it could be very serious. We deferred to the trained professionals and let them do their job.

“We could see that she was having difficulties, and it seemed like an eternity out there. I never saw that happen to anyone before. It was a shame to see that happen to her because she is such a competitor.”

Pengelly - who earlier this season sustained an elbow injury that kept her out of the lineup for a period of time - remembered being carted off the field on a stretcher, and having her spirits lifted when she saw the Pen Argyl players consoling her teammates.

Fellow sophomore Haily Delgado - who has known Pengelly since eighth grade - encountered a sense of panic and trepidation about the state of her teammate.

“I was both shocked and scared,” she said. “I wasn’t sure what was going to happen to her. At first, I was in shock, and I thought she re-injured her previous injury. After everything happened, I was so upset and just hoped she was going to be OK.”

Delgado sees plenty of determination in her teammate.

“She is good, and eager to get back,” said Delgado. “She shows up at practices and games to support our team. Mikayla doesn’t like to sit, and is always working 110% to get back.”

Junior Sydney Frantz, who met Pengelly through softball and field hockey, also incurred a palpitating moment.

“My heart just dropped so fast, and I started crying immediately because I was really scared for her,” said Frantz. “I wished I could have helped her.

“The whole team was crying because we never had this happen to us before, and it was just really scary for everyone. Mikayla is a very strong girl, and very aggressive when it comes to sports.”

Frantz would like to see Pengelly return fully healthy to the lineup.

“She is fun to be around, and she reminds me of myself when she gets really competitive,” said Frantz. “I know she wants to come back as soon as she can, but I want her to take her time and get better, so she comes back even stronger.”

Over the past few weeks, Pengelly has responded well to a series of tests and activities in her concussion protocol. She has been able to run and ride an electric bike, hit off a tee, and also visit practices and games.

Pengelly’s symptoms of nausea, dizziness, and headaches have greatly lessened. Her team has already clinched a district playoff spot and have an overall 11-6 record.

“I have been doing much better, and I have made a lot of progress,” beamed Pengelly. “I haven’t had symptoms for a week. I have much more mobility, and I feel like I have gained my strength back.

“I feel more complete, and I want to get back.”

Pengelly admitted she won’t be sliding into any bases head first for a long time. However, her confidence level hasn’t been shaken from the incident.

“Surprisingly, I haven’t felt hesitant about doing anything,” she stressed. “Once I get back on the field, I’m sure I’ll be a little nervous at first. But I do like to steal, and I know I’ll be running on the bases again.”

For Pengelly, it’s a matter of returning to her familiar and benevolent environment. Besides Northwestern, Palmerton has two regular-season games left before the postseason.

“I was a big part of the team last year,” she stated. “I miss being around them, and I know they miss me.

“I can’t wait to get back.”

Her teammates share the same feeling.

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STRIKEOUT MILESTONE … During a 10-0 victory over Catasauqua last Thursday, Palmerton ace Carly Gaffney put herself in the school’s record books. In the third inning, Gaffney recorded her 460th-career strikeout to pass Martina Herring as the Blue Bombers’ career leader in that category. Gaffney, a junior, finished the contest with 12 punchouts and currently has 466. With another season remaining, Gaffney is sure to add to her total and make it tough on future Palmerton pitchers to catch her total.

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PITCHER’S DUEL … Last Thursday, with first place in Schuylkill League Division 3 on the line, the Marian and Weatherly softball teams hooked up in a tense and nail-biting contest. All eyes were focused on pitchers Morgan Kelly of Marian and Madisyn vonFrisch of Weatherly. The two hurlers combined to strike out 25 batters and allow just five hits in what turned out to be a 1-0 victory by the Fillies. Winning pitcher Kelly fanned 13 and gave up just two hits, while vonFrisch punched out 12 and surrendered three hits and the game’s only run. Both teams - and pitchers - could be headed toward a rematch as the clubs are currently seeded second and third in the District 11 Class 1A standings.

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WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS … On Tuesday, both the Jim Thorpe and Palmerton boys track and field teams captured league championships. The Blue Bombers swept Notre Dame and Northern Lehigh to finish with an 11-0 record and the Colonial League regular-season title. The Olympians, meanwhile, downed Pine Grove to complete a 6-0 mark in the Schuylkill League and gain the Division 1 crown. Both squads will be participating in league meets next Tuesday and Wednesday.

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LUCKY SEVENS … Devon Bush and Rylee Rath - Pleasant Valley’s top scorers on the undefeated girls lacrosse team - both scored seven goals on Tuesday during a 20-5 victory over Northampton. That marked the most goals (14) they have combined to score in one game this season, and it also marked the first time they have both scored at least seven times in the same contest. Twice, they had combined for 13 goals. And once, they both reached at least six in the same game. Bush now has 82 goals and 20 assists this season, while Rath sits at 80 goals and 30 helpers. Their efforts, as well as their teammates, have resulted in a 16-0 record to date.

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COUNT THE TIGERS IN … Recently, the Northwestern baseball team joined a long list of Times News coverage teams that have clinched district playoff berths. Last Thursday, the Tigers posted a 13-3 victory over rival Northern Lehigh to join the postseason group. As of Wednesday, there are officially 12 area clubs - seven baseball and five softball - that will be playing in the district tournament. Another four could also punch their tickets in the coming days to bring that total to 16.