Wednesday, March 23, 2005

You can hear the excitement in the voice of new Plum varsity softball head coach Jay Marston when he talks about his Lady Mustangs squad and the prospects for the 2005 season.

Marston, as assistant coach at Plum from 1999 to 2001 and for the past two seasons, took over the top coaching spot from Erica Exler, who moved on to coach at Pitt-Greensburg.

Plum qualified for WPIALs from 2000 to 2002, winning the section in 2002, but has missed WPIALs the past two seasons.

Marston is confident his team can get back to the playoffs. A solid core of returning players will be satisfied with nothing less.
 
"Their goal is to win the section and get into the playoffs," Marston said.
"They've worked hard in practice and on their own to make that possible. This team is as strong as any other team I've been involved with. The girls will be prepared for any situation."

There are 13 players on the varsity roster and Marston said everyone will play.

"The team is very smart, disciplined and fast. Our defense is pretty strong this year. The returning experience will be key."

Senior Bethany Rupert and junior Val Dern will alternate at pitcher, filling the void left by the graduated Sheila Bigenho.

Bigenho is playing college softball at Potomac State in West Virginia.

"Both Bethany and Val will play," Marston said. "They are pretty similar."

The same can be said at catcher where returning junior Janna Zummo will share the backstop duties with sophomore Lauren Rupert.

The corners of the infield are solid with a pair of two-year letter winners back.

Senior Ali Carr will return to first, while fellow senior Alex Yamnitzky is back at third.

Letter winners will also man the second base and shortstop positions.

Junior Erin Adams is back at second, while senior Rachel Risbon returns to short. Two-year letter winner at the designated player position, senior Erin McGrath, is expected to see time at short or in the outfield.

Junior Shannon Bradburn, a two-year letter winner and two-year all-section player, is back to anchor the outfield.

"Shannon is one of the best leadoff hitters I've seen," Marston said.

"She hits for power and for average. She's smart, fast and fields her position well."

Also in the outfield are juniors Kristi Konkus and Kayla Burns.

Freshman newcomer Lauren McGrath, Marston said, will give the team additional speed.

"Everyone has their role and are aware of it," Marston said.

The PIAA and WPIAL moved to four classifications in both baseball and softball.

Quad-A in softball consists of 26 teams divided into four sections.

Plum is in Section 2 with Gateway, Kiski, McKeesport, Penn Hills and Woodland Hills.

Gateway, the Section 4-AAA co-champs with Fox Chapel, made the playoffs last season.

Kiski was also a playoff team a year ago.

Fox Chapel, co-champs with Gateway in the section, is in Section 3 this season with Butler, North Allegheny, North Hills, Seneca Valley and Shaler.

Oakland Catholic, in Section 4-AAA last year, remained in AAA this season.

"This team is able to compete with anyone in the section," Marston said.

Weather permitting, and if field conditions allow, Plum opens its season tomorrow (Thursday) at home against Penn-Trafford at 3:45 p.m