Plum plays ‘clean’ game, rides big 4th inning past Penn-Trafford

By: Paul Schofield
Monday, April 7, 2025 | 9:47 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

Plum baseball coach Carl Vollmer described his team’s performance Monday against Penn-Trafford as a “clean win.”

The Mustangs got a good start from junior right-hander Braden Kemmerer, timely hitting and solid defense in their 4-1 Section 1-5A first-place victory over rival Penn-Trafford at home.

The game was moved to Plum’s artificial turf because Penn-Trafford’s field was too soggy from the weekend rain.

The second game of the series, which was scheduled for Tuesday, has been moved to Wednesday at Penn-Trafford because of expected cold temperatures.

The game was scoreless until the fourth inning when the Mustangs (7-1, 3-0) scored four times off Penn-Trafford junior starter Dom Delio.

“We were really good,” Vollmer said. “We didn’t put extra guys on base, and we made the routine plays all day. We also got timely hitting.”

The inning started when Delio did not get a call on consecutive pitches up two strikes against Jake Domkowski. He eventually fanned Domkowski, but the senior shortstop was able to reach base when catcher Colton Tyburski couldn’t snag the low pitch.

Domkowski then scored on a triple by Ryan Lafferty, and Lafferty scored on a groundout by Tim Ruggiero.

But Plum was not done. Enzo Mele reached on a single, and an out later senior catcher Anthony Jump shocked himself by launching a two-run homer over the left-field fence.

“Anthony had never hit a home run, even in batting practice,” Vollmer said. “That was a bit of a shock for all of us. All the players were excited for him. It was big because it gave us a cushion.

“Braden throws two pitches for strikes, and he’s able to full up the strike zone and use both sides of the plate.”

Penn-Trafford (5-4, 3-2) got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning when junior right fielder Nico Casciato singled and scored on a two-out double by senior first baseman Ethan Septak, who had two hits.

Plum had runners on second and third base with no outs in the second inning when Lafferty was hit with a pitch, swiped second and moved to third on a single by Ruggiero, who moved to second on a throw home.

But Delio struck out Mele and Michael Tedrick before getting Jump to ground out.

Penn-Trafford threatened in the top of fourth inning after consecutive singles by Zach Feldman and Aiden Drotos. But Drotos was caught stealing to end the threat.

“We out-hit them, but we didn’t get the timely hits,” Penn-Trafford coach Lou Cortazzo said. “We did not put enough pressure on their defense. Our pitchers did not do a bad job.

“We have too many soldiers. We need someone to step up and be leaders. It is a long season, but I feel we need to relax and stop pressing.”

Kemmerer allowed one run and six hits over six innings. He struck out seven and walked none.

Delio allowed four hits and one earned run. He struck out five, walked one and hit three batters. Drotos struck out three.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Penn-Trafford, Plum