Plum's Baseball Team Wins In Dramatic Fashion

Plum’s baseball team captured a thrilling 9-8 victory over Woodland Hills Friday afternoon at Plum Senior High School. The win improves the Mustangs’ record in conference play to 3-1, and 4-2 overall on the season. 

Trailing by a run in its final at-bat, Plum Tyler Podvasnik and William O’Block drew back-to-back walks. Cory Myers followed with a single, his third hit of the day.  Cory Podvasnik then stepped to the plate with the bases loaded, and displayed patience, working the count to three balls and one strike. Woodland Hills reliever Ta’Juan Dutrieuille, unwilling to walk in the tying run, gave Podvasnik a pitch to hit.  Podvasnik ripped the offering into right field, bringing home the tying and winning run, thus giving the Mustangs the walk-off celebration. 

Podvasnik’s at-bat exemplified the message of Plum coach Larry Wayman.  As the Mustangs attempted to battle back, Wayman offered simple advice to his squad, saying, “We told them to stay within themselves, and to stay patient at the plate.” 

Plum held a lead for most of the contest, as starting pitcher Zachary Manuppello was staked to a 5-3 lead when he exited after five solid innings. Manuppello surrendered four hits while striking out six. Lucas Koshinsky then took the mound for the Mustangs in the sixth, and promptly relinquished the lead as the Wolverines scored four runs, thanks to a pair of walks and a couple of bloop hits. Balls that seemed harmless when coming off the bat managed to fall in for critical hits for Woodland Hills, as windy conditions reeked havoc on the Mustang outfielders. 

Plum fought back in the bottom of the inning, scoring twice to even the score at 7-7.  Woodland Hills took the lead once again in the seventh, however, as Julian Henderson drew a walk and then stole his third base of the contest.  Henderson then scored the go-ahead run on an error, providing Woodland Hills with its third lead of the game.

Plum’s resilience ultimately proved to be the difference, though, in this back-and-forth contest. 

Wayman believes a win of this nature could be critical in the team’s success the rest of the season, as he said, “this win is a positive step. It is definitely a confidence builder.”   

The Mustangs have little time to celebrate, however, as their next two games are on the road against section foes Penn Hills and Gateway.