Plum’s Lake continues to shine in sophomore season

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, April 17, 2018 | 11:18 PM

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Mackenzie Lake didn't wait.

She knew what she wanted.

When St. Francis (Pa.) landed on the Plum sophomore's recruiting radar, it was a process that moved quickly and ended last fall with a verbal commitment.

“When I got my offer, I couldn't wait to say yes,” Lake said.

The Red Flash coaches took notice of a player who broke out as a freshman with the Mustangs and finished with a .548 average (40 for 73), with 10 doubles, three triples, 11 home runs and 43 RBIs.

She was an All-Section 1-5A first-team selection.

Lake continues to produce seven games into her sophomore season for a young Plum squad challenging for a playoff spot in a competitive section with rivals Penn-Trafford, Franklin Regional and Gateway.

As the offseason progressed, she saw success with her club team, Team Pennsylvania, and made time to see what the next level had to offer.

Help with St. Francis came in the form of former Plum star Jordan Seneca, now a hitting leader as a junior with the Red Flash.

Last spring, Seneca, a two-time Northeast Conference first-team selection, set NEC single-season records for home runs (22) and RBIs (66) and was the first player in NEC history to have 20 homers and 20 steals in the same season.

“Jordan really helped me get interested in St. Francis with the softball program and the school in general,” Lake said. “I had someone already there who I trusted telling me good things. It made it a more comfortable situation. It helped me know what to expect. I fell in love with the school even more. It's such a great fit for me.”

Multiple visits, watching games, attending camps, visiting with the coaches and just absorbing the atmosphere of the campus and the strength of the program, she said, won her over.

“I am very excited for Mackenzie,” Plum coach Jim McGrath said. “She deserves it. She's a great player who works very hard.”

Lake said no matter where she went in the recruiting process, her heart always came back to St. Francis.

With her college choice behind her, Lake began this season with a positive mindset.

“I didn't have any expectations last year other than coming in and helping the team win games,” Lake said. “I found myself last year, and I came into this season with more confidence.”

Lake is batting .381 (8 for 21) with three doubles, three triples and six RBIs for Plum (4-3, 3-3), which is in fourth place in Section 1-5A.

“Mackenzie is more settled in her game this year,” McGrath said. “She's more confident, but she's not trying to be too flashy. You could see that developing as last year went on.”

Lake also is back at shortstop after moving into the outfield last year. Rayna Donatelli, a senior in 2017, was entrenched in the spot.

“I gained a different perspective and outlook on the game last year playing in the outfield,” Lake said

“I needed Mackenzie in the outfield, and she had no problem doing what she could to get on the field and in the lineup,” McGrath said. “She wanted to do what was best for the team.

“We also put her in a position in the batting order where we felt she could be successful, and she really hit the ball well. We knew we could count on her, and that hasn't stopped.”

Plum hopes to snap a two-game losing streak when it hosts section foe Gateway at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The Mustangs also are slated to face Penn-Trafford in section play Thursday, Pine-Richland in a nonsection contest Friday and section rival Kiski Area on Saturday.

Franklin Regional edged Plum, 1-0, in eight innings Friday, and Kiski topped the Mustangs, 6-3, on Saturday.

“We're super young, but we have the pitching, defense and the offense,” Lake said. “We're all trying to grow together. When we get our bats rolling, we can compete with anyone. We're really gaining good experience with each game and should be right there battling for a playoff spot.”

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Mlove_Trib.

Tags: Plum