Plum softball reflects on power-packed season after WPIAL playoff exit

By: Michael Love
Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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The Plum softball team had designs on breaking a tough playoff losing streak when it took on Chartiers Valley at West Mifflin in a WPIAL Class 5A first-round game May 12.

The Mustangs were the No. 8 seed as they hoped to snap a six-game playoff skid.

The game with the No. 9 Colts turned into a pitchers’ dual between Chartiers Valley’s Taylor Walsh and Plum junior Riley Stephans.

But a two-run home run from Colts senior and Penn State commit Lily Duffill turned out to be the difference in a 2-1 final.

It was a heartbreaking and sudden end to another strong season for Plum.

The Mustangs, third in Section 1 behind Shaler and North Hills, capped their season at 14-6 overall.

Coach Phil DiLonardo struck a positive tone a couple of days after the tough season-ending loss.

“That was just one game, and we had a really good season,” he said. “There were a lot of good performances from the girls. They put in a lot of hard work. What I told them is that sometimes you work your butt off, and you don’t get the desired result. But that doesn’t make the work any less important.

“It’s a great group of kids who deserved to go a little bit further in the playoffs. That game didn’t take away from all the positive things they accomplished.”

Plum, which featured a powerful lineup in the regular season, was limited by Walsh and the Chartiers Valley defense to three hits. The Mustangs did get 11 runners on base in the game, but 10 were left stranded, including five in scoring position.

“That’s playoff softball,” DiLonardo said. “You have to capitalize on your chances.”

Senior catcher Dani Pici drove in Plum’s lone run in the fifth inning with a sharply hit double down the left field line to score junior Liana Yusko who had singled earlier in the frame.

It was the final game in a Plum uniform for Pici, as well as senior center fielder Bella Tavella.

“The seniors had some things to say after the game which kind of got to me a little bit,” DiLonardo said of the emotion in the moments following the playoff loss.

“They were really great the whole year. Dani and Bella, I am disappointed for them. They didn’t go out the way they wanted to. They deserved so much more.”

Both Pici and Tavella earned section first-team all-star recognition, along with Yusko at second base.

Pici led the team in batting at .515 (35 of 68) with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs.

She was a part of a lineup which belted 40 home runs through 19 regular-season games.

Tavella batted .379 with 17 RBIs and 15 runs scored.

“Dani and Bella were both four-year starters. That is unusual for the most part,” DiLonardo said. “They really grew into their roles as leaders and captains. They were both two-year captains. They poured their whole heart and soul into this team the past four years.

“For me as a coach, you would love to have a whole team like them. They did a great job with the underclassmen. They communicated well. They both are good kids, and their shoes will be hard to fill.”

Stephans and junior infielder/pitcher Mackenzie Marotta both were honored as second-team all-section picks. The two shared time in the pitching circle and formed a solid 1-2 punch against opponents in and out of section play.

Other starters returning for the Mustangs are freshman designated player/infielder Lily DeLuca, sophomore first baseman Brooke Bernosky, junior shortstop Jaiden Gentile, sophomore right fielder Sydney Pici and freshman left fielder Aubrey Maxell.

Another starter, junior outfielder Gia Tavella, also will be back to help form next year’s core. She suffered an injury in practice and was unable to play against Chartiers Valley.

Gentile missed several games early in the season because of health reasons.

She was solid at the plate upon her return. She batted .514 with seven extra base hits, 11 RBIs and 14 runs scored.

Yusko added 28 RBIs, eight home runs and eight doubles; and Marotta and DeLuca drove in 24 and 21 runs, respectively. DeLuca tied Yusko for second with eight home runs.

Nine players drove in at least 10 runs.

“We have some good players coming up to mix with the returning girls,” DiLonardo said. “Competition is good. That bodes really well for the future, especially next year. The experience and talent are there.

“I expect big things again next year. I know the girls won’t be complacent and will work hard to make it back to the playoffs and hopefully go a little further.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

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