Plum softball chasing 10th straight trip to playoffs

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, May 4, 2018 | 11:39 PM

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Kennywood crews found the perfect fit for its long-time favorite Log Jammer ride that was removed this spring; it seems they parked the ride smack dab in the middle of the Section 1-5A softball standings as four teams entered the final week battling for two postseason spots.

“Everyone is kind of battling,” Plum coach Jim McGrath said. “We're watching the standings. We keep telling them that it doesn't matter what other teams are doing right now, we just have to win every single game.”

For a team that's most consistent trait this season has been being inconsistent, this could pose a problem for Plum (8-7, 7-6) going into the final week of the season. The competitive balance in the section is much greater than in years past. In addition to Kiski Area (8-6, 7-6), upstart programs such as Gateway (7-6, 7-6) and Greensburg Salem (6-6, 7-8), which finished near the bottom of the section standings last season, have thrown a monkey wrench in the section standings this year and have put every team on notice they are no longer the proverbial “easy win” for teams.

“Gateway's improved quite a bit,“ McGrath said. “We can't take anybody lightly, and we have to win all of our games or we're going to stay home, and they don't want to stay home.”

The Mustangs are a combined 3-3 against Kiski Area, Gateway and Greensburg Salem this season, having split the season series with all three. What determines which team will move on to the WPIAL Class 5A softball postseason will come down to who can knock off Class 5A No. 2 Franklin Regional (13-3, 11-1) and No. 3-ranked Penn-Trafford (13-3, 11-2).

Greensburg Salem had the toughest road to travel having to play both the Panthers and the Warriors to close out the section schedule. Gateway was to face off against Woodland Hills (0-13, 0-13), Kiski Area and Armstrong (2-12, 2-11).

The Mustangs needed a road win at Franklin Regional to reach the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season. The Mustangs took a tough 1-0 home loss to the Panthers in mid-April.

“We tell the girls you're in the playoffs right now,” McGrath said. “We have to win every game and we have to bring our ‘A-game' every single day.”

The Mustangs aren't built like Plum teams of the past where hitting was the dominant character trait. This year, it's pitching that has held up along the way.

“Usually we have one pitcher, and we've struggled with that in years past,” McGrath said. “Abbey (Froehlich) last year was pitching all of our games. This year, we have Melanie (Mienke) and Makinzie (DeRiggi) to help us out.”

Froehlich and Mienke both have four wins from the circle and both have an ERA around 4.0.

“We keep somewhat of a short leach on Abbey and Melanie if they're getting hit,” McGrath said.

Plum has a team batting average of .291 going into the final week of the season. Mackenzie Lake leads the way with a .444 average. The sophomore also leads the Mustangs with 17 RBIs, 17 runs scored, three triples and four home runs. The run production drops off after that with Sidney Young (12) and Francesca Beighley (11) the only Mustangs with double-digit RBI totals. Plum has barely outscored section opponents (59-57) through 13 section games.

“Even our big hitters are struggling a little bit, and I don't know why,” McGrath said. “We're just not doing it. I keep telling them to stay within your comfort zone, hit doubles, or do whatever.”

A pitcher's best friend is a solid defense and McGrath said the defense has kept the Mustangs in games.

“The defense is really good, and all of our girls have been really capable,” McGrath said. “We're just not hitting as well as I thought we'd be (hitting) this season.”

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Plum