April 12, 2006

Plum's girls softball team defeated Gateway by mercy rule 11-1 in six innings Monday afternoon behind a strong pitching performance from senior Val Dern.

Dern worked out of several jams, but yielded one run, a two-out, bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the sixth inning, in six innings. She struck out six batters on the afternoon.

"Val is doing very well. She got some experience last year as a junior. Now she's our go-to pitcher," said Plum girls softball head coach Jay Marston. "She's making it easier on everyone."

The Lady Mustangs got on the board in the first inning when senior third baseman Shannon Bradburn lined a triple over left fielder Nicole Abbenante's head to lead of the game.

Senior second baseman Erin Adams reached on a bunt single, scoring Bradburn to put Plum ahead 1-0.

The score remained until the top of the fourth inning. Bradburn led off with a walk and stole second base. Adams singled to center field and took second when the relay throw went to the catcher. Freshman first baseman Nina Donatucci walked to load the bases with no outs.

Gateway junior pitcher Brandy O'Reilly struck out right fielder Kriski Konkus and junior left fielder Lauren Rupert.

But senior center fielder Kaila Burns put the Lady Mustangs up by three runs with a bases-clearing triple, making the score 4-0.

"Our players have been making things happen. Today it was Kaila Burns," Marston said. "She was determined to keep the inning alive."

Plum got four more runs in the top of the fourth inning. Sophomore shortstop Lauren McGrath walked and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt junior April Meli.

Bradburn popped up to O'Reilly, but she dropped the ball, allowing Bradburn to reach. Bradburn stole second base uncontested, but both runners remained on base on an unsuccessful bunt attempt by Adams.

McGrath and Bradburn came around to score on Donatucci's two-run single to left field. Donatucci eventually came around to score on Konkus's single, making the score 7-0.

The Lady Mustangs scored one run in the top of the fifth after sophomore Julie D'Lonardo tripled to center, and Meli ran for her and scored on a Bradburn RBI-single.

Plum got three more runs the next inning when Donatucci reached on a throwing error, followed by a bunt single by Konkus. Donatucci eventually came around to score when Konkus stole second base and beat the throw.

Konkus scored on a RBI-single from Burns, and Burns had Plum's final run with an RBI-double to center field by Dern.

Bradburn led the Lady Mustangs, going 3-for-4 with a triple and RBI.

"We just have to get her on base and she makes things happen," Marston said.