Scrappy Plum softball eager to repeat 2019 success

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, March 27, 2021 | 10:01 AM

Melanie Mienke was set to take over as the workhorse of Plum’s pitching staff last spring.

Losing a year because of the pandemic means Mienke, now a senior, steps into a much different situation.

The Mustangs will have three new starters in the infield. This is a Plum squad that finished 15-4, earned the No. 2 seed and lost in the WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals two seasons ago.

Senior Francesca Beighly, a returning starter at second base, believes the two scrimmages the Mustangs got in before Friday’s opener at Fox Chapel got them prepared to play.

“We’ve been moving girls around a lot to see who works best,” Beighley said. “(Junior) Ashley Polakovic has looked solid at shortstop. The two girls at the corner positions have been moving around and switching.”

Mienke, who was 8-1 as a sophomore, is confident with how things have progressed. More important for her has been fine-tuning her changeup to accentuate her rise ball, which is her best pitch.

“I’ve been working on getting more consistent,” said Mienke, who picked up the win in the a 6-1 triumph over the Foxes on Friday.

“I don’t want to throw hanging pitches that could turn into home runs or big hits. The support from my teammates has been great. They’ve been working with me, so it’s been good.”

Plum coach Phil DiLonardo expects Mienke to be the primary pitcher. He’s excited to see how Mienke will do in the role after rotating with Abby Froehlich as a sophomore.

“They were a nice complement to each other,” DiLonardo said. “Mel is a workhorse. She’s going to give you everything she has every time she goes out there. Her experience in the playoffs will help her.”

Mienke and the Mustangs defense limited Fox Chapel hitters to just three hits. Mienke struck out 12 and walked just one.

Plum has a healthy mix of players returning. Senior center fielder Jillian Durst, along with Beigley and Mienke, are three-year starters.

The Mustangs also have five seniors.

Offensively, DiLonardo believes this team will have a balanced lineup.

“I anticipate us to be a good-hitting team,” DiLonardo said. “That’s always the hope. It doesn’t always happen. I’d like to think we are going to be a well-rounded offensive team. I am not sure we are there yet, but we can get there.”

First baseman Makenzie Lang gave Plum all the runs it would need against Fox Chapel with a three-run blast in the top of the first. She finished 2 for 2 and also doubled as the Mustangs finished with eight hits in the game.

Polakovic added a double and a single in the win.

Plum is scheduled to visit North Hills on Monday before opening Section 1-5A play Tuesday against Indiana.

The Mustangs also will take on Armstrong, Franklin Regional, Kiski Area, Penn Hills and Woodland Hills in the section.

Beighley believes this group will be a gritty one.

“We have to fight for every game,” Beighly said. “I don’t think we are (just) going to come out and win. We’re going to have to fight. I would say we are going to bond as a team. It’s starting to happen.”

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