Plum's Softball Squad Rallies Late, Stuns McKeesport

Plum’s softball team rallied from a three-run deficit to prevail over McKeesport 6-5 on Thursday. 

The win was crucial for the Mustangs, improving their record to 6-2 in conference play, and 6-5 overall on the season. 

Plum struggled to sustain offense over the first six innings, but Jordan Seneca led off the bottom of the seventh with a hit and stolen base that sparked the rally.

Melissa LeClair knocked in Seneca with a single, and Megan Mariani followed with a single of her own. 

Cleanup hitter Hunter DeShong then drew a walk to load the bases.

After McKeesport made a pitching change, Taylor Johns belted a two-run single to tie the contest. 

Following two consecutive fly outs, Kaitlin Cliber came to the plate with a runner on third. Cliber laid down a bunt which caught the Tigers defense off-guard, thus bringing home the winning run.  

Plum’s Head Coach Jim McGrath revealed that he called the suicide squeeze, a daring move which paid dividends.

“We got the top of the order up," he said. "I don’t know if it was us putting pressure on them or what, but it was a big win against a top three team in the conference.”

In addition to her three hits and three RBI’s, Johns also picked up the victory in relief as she worked two and one-third scoreless innings. 

Senior Athena Kaufman also had a strong showing at the plate for the Mustangs, collecting three hits on the day.

Jessi Hawthorne led the Tigers offense and clubbed a double and two singles, the second of which put McKeesport ahead 5-2. 

All of McKeesport’s runs came off Plum’s starting pitcher Lyndi Gareis, who surrendered eight hits while striking out three.