Behind shutout from Braden Kemmerer, Plum clinches at least share of section title
By:
Monday, May 5, 2025 | 9:54 PM
Plum pitcher Braden Kemmerer throws against Latrobe on Monday.
Latrobe trainer Kaitlyn Knopsnider treats Plum’s Timmy Ruggiero on Monday.
Latrobe pitcher Cole Short throws against Plum on Monday.
Plum’s Timmy Ruggiero launches a first-inning home run against Latrobe on Monday.
Latrobe knew if it wanted to win the Section 1-5A title, it had to defeat Plum on Monday night.
Plum junior right-handed pitcher Braden Kemmerer would not let that happen.
Kemmerer tossed a three-hit shutout and struck out three as Plum clinched at least a tie for the section title with a 3-0 victory. It was the ninth consecutive win by the Mustangs (10-1, 16-2).
Latrobe (9-3, 14-5) saw its five-game winning streak end. The teams meet Tuesday at Plum.
“That was a great high school game,” Latrobe coach Matt Basciano said. “They got the timely hits, and we didn’t. I felt our pitcher (Cole Short) and defense played great, now we got to bounce back and get ready for the playoffs.”
Plum took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when lead-off hitter Timmy Ruggiero hit the fourth pitch he saw over the left-field fence.
Short pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the third inning as the Wildcats turned one of their two double plays.
“It’s been an amazing season, and Braden had an amazing game,” Plum coach Carl Vollmer said. “He throws two pitches for strikes, and he can throw any pitch at any time.
“He did his job to keep us in the game when we could not capitalize on our opportunities.”
Plum extended its lead to 3-0 in the sixth inning when Enzo Mele delivered a two-out, two-run single.
“My teammates played great behind me,” Kemmerer said. “I just did my job.
“I trust my defense. They play strong all the time.”
Max Vollmer had a double and single for Plum, which ended up with eight hits.
Latrobe managed three. The Wildcats’ biggest threat came in the first inning when Mason Leonard reached on an infield single with one out and Eli Boring walked. Kemmerer got out of the jam by getting a ground-ball double play.
“I can throw four different pitches, but my main two are my fastball and curveball,” Kemmerer said.
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.
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