Apr 23, 2025 3 min read

Name: Brooke Bumer

Grade: Junior

School: Canon-McMillan

Sport: Softball

Bumer’s Week: Canon-McMillan had a pair of big Class 6A Section 1 games on consecutive days and Bumer delivered in both.

Against North Allegheny on Thursday, Bumer authored a three-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts in a 3-0 victory and followed that up by pitching into the sixth inning and had 11 strikeouts in an 8-3 win over Mt. Lebanon.

Those two wins helped the Big Macs solidify a top-six spot in the standings. The top six teams make the playoffs. They are four wins ahead of Mt. Lebanon and Butler.

Bumer credited the success she had to her command. Between the two games she walked only one batter.

“I’d say the biggest thing was I was hitting my spots. I was working the corners and my screwball and riseball were both working. I throw my screwball more than anything. I step up and lean my body toward the batter and the ball goes that way.”

Pitching on consecutive days is not that uncommon in softball, but it still takes a toll on the body. Bumer carried over the momentum into the second day against the Blue Devils and battled through 5 1/3 innings.

“I just had to ice a lot and use my Theraband, but I’ve (pitched on consecutive days) for a couple of years now, so I’m used to it,” Bumer said. “It wasn’t as bad as it used to be, because my freshman year we didn’t have another pitcher. Now I have another pitcher, Lyla (Mowery), with me. It’s a lot nicer.”

Future veterinarian: Bumer doesn’t know what college she’ll attend yet or if she’ll continue to play softball post high school, but she’s certain veterinary is what she’ll study.

In fact, she’s known that for a long time.

Her goal is to become a large animal veterinarian for horses, cows and other farm animals.

“My family has a farm in Hickory, so I’ve grew up around animals and I really enjoy it,” Bumer said. “I’ve wanted to be a vet since I was 10 years old.”

She’s already made college visits, including ones to Penn State, Ohio State and Virginia Tech.

Farm life: When Bumer isn’t occupying a circle on a softball diamond, you’ll likely find her working at the family farm. She also used to ride horses when she was younger, but doesn’t do that much anymore, because she’s focused on softball.

She enjoys working with her dad on the farm and driving the tractor out in the fields.

“I like feeding the animals and going out and bailing hay,” Bumer said. “When our vets come out I enjoy working with them and seeing how they handle different situations. I was probably like 11 or 12 years old when my dad taught me how to drive the tractor and then I started going out on my own to bail hay.”

Compiled by Jerin Steele