Plum notebook: Mustangs secure key section wins over Armstrong, Penn-Trafford

By: Michael Love
Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Members of the Plum baseball team knew coming into the season that it would be a dogfight at the top of Section 1-5A, and the Mustangs were right there in the mix after the first two Section 1-5A series.

They took care of business in the opening home-and-home section set against Armstrong two weeks ago with wins of 8-0 and 14-6.

Plum faced a stiffer challenge last week against Penn-Trafford, an opponent that has provided some dramatic outcomes with the Mustangs in recent years.

While Plum upped its section record to 3-0 with a 4-1 victory over the Warriors in Game 1, Penn-Trafford answered with a 5-2 victory.

In Game 1, the Mustangs scored all of their runs in the fourth as Ryan Lafferty produced a run-scoring triple, Timmy Ruggiero brought home a run on a groundout, and catcher Anthony Jump delivered a two-run home run.

Enzo Mele singled and scored on the Jump homer.

It was more than enough runs for starter Braden Kemmerer who gave up six hits and one run over six innings. He struck out six and walked none.

Jake Dombkowski came on and pitched the seventh for the save. He gave up one hit while striking out two.

Things looked good for the Mustangs at the start of Game 2 as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first.

An error by the Warriors defense on a ground ball by Lafferty allowed Dombkowski and Connor Wilson to score. Dombkowski doubled earlier in the inning while Wilson reached on a fielder’s choice.

Max Vollmer also singled for Plum in the first. But the Mustangs would only muster one more hit over the final six innings, a single from Ruggiero with one out in the fourth.

Michael Tedrick took the loss for the Mustangs. He pitched six innings and gave up five runs, four earned, on nine hits. He struck out one Warriors batter while walking none.

Plum was set to continue section play Monday and Tuesday against Penn Hills. The games were to conclude past the deadline for this week’s edition.

The Mustangs host Avonworth on Thursday under the lights at Plum High School before a section series this Monday and Tuesday (April 22 and 23) against Kiski Area.

Plum softball rolls to 15-0 win

The Plum softball team was held off the scoreboard in the first and third innings of a Section 1-5A matchup with rival Penn Hills on April 9.

But the second inning for the Mustangs was anything but quiet.

Plum scored 15 runs in the top of the second and rolled to a three-inning, 15-0 triumph.

Contributions in the frame came from up and down the lineup as the hitting was contagious.

Seven of the nine starters finished the game with at least one hit.

Dani Pici, Bella Tavella, Sydney Pici and Kadence Ohmer each collected two hits. Sydney Pici batted twice in the second and drove in three runs. Ohmer doubled home two runs, and Dani Pici tripled and singled in the second to plate three runs.

Mackenzie Marotta pitched an efficient three innings, giving up just one hit while striking out five and walking none.

The win lifted Plum to 6-2 overall and 3-1 (third place) in the section, one game ahead of New Castle (2-2) in the standings.

The Mustangs were slated to host section power North Hills on Friday before visiting New Castle on Monday and Mars on Wednesday.

Plum sought a section sweep of the Planets after a 12-3 win on March 31.

The Penn Hills victory helped the team rebound from a tough 14-1 loss to Shaler five days earlier. The Titans exploded for five runs in the first, five runs in the second and three more in the third before Plum was able to get on the board in the bottom of the third on a solo home run from Bella Tavella.

Shaler collected 12 hits off Marotta, the starter, and reliever Riley Stephans while Tavella’s homer was Plum’s only hit over the five-inning contest.

Plum girls lacrosse routs Armstrong

The Plum girls lacrosse team drew closer to .500 with a dominating 12-1 nonsection victory at Armstrong on April 7.

Brooke Price, Jess Hartley, Natalie Wagner and Ella Pedley each scored two goals to lead the Mustangs. Pedley added a pair of assists for Plum, which improved to 4-5 overall.

Plum, which made a move up to Class 3A under the new two-year alignment cycle, started out 1-4 in Section 1. But the Mustangs left no doubt in the section win, a 17-4 triumph over Latrobe on March 28.

Pedley’s strong early-season efforts continued with a team-best four goals. Wagner, Carly Venanzi and Olivia Iachini added three goals apiece.

Malayna Smith helped the Mustangs secure the win with 13 saves.

Plum opened its season March 14 with a 12-8 victory over North Allegheny behind four goals from Venanzi and three each from Pedley and Iachini.

Hartley produced a hat trick while Madi Stewart scored twice to pace the Mustangs to an 8-6 nonsection win against Indiana on March 20.

Plum was to face Class 2A Hampton last Friday before returning to Section 1 play at home against Baldwin on Wednesday. Both games were to conclude past the deadline for this week’s edition.

The Mustangs will renew a fierce rivalry from their time in Class 2A when they host Franklin Regional this Monday (April 21) at 6 p.m.

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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