Sunday, May 21, 2006

After a 10-0 loss to Shaler on Saturday in the first round of the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs, Plum softball coach Jay Marston managed to emphasize the positives surrounding his team.

"I'm real proud of the girls," Marston said. "We continue to compete and continue to get better each year. We made the playoffs last season and got back again this year, and we are improving in every aspect."

Shaler (14-6) and sophomore pitcher Heather Elstner (11-3) put an end to Plum's season when she tossed a one-hitter to earn the win at Fairhaven Park in Kennedy Township. She recorded five strikeouts and no walks.

After facing live pitching for the first time in a week after rain postponed the game originally scheduled for Monday, catcher Nina Donatucci singled in the fourth for Plum's only hit.

"Of course, it didn't come out the way we wanted it to because we wanted to continue our season, but I'm proud of my team, and Shaler played great," said Marston, whose team finished 11-10. "They (Shaler's Titans) earned everything they got."
After being retired in order in the first inning by Plum pitcher Val Dern, Shaler scored its first run in the second when designated player Stevie Stanek knocked in Jen Simile. Shaler put together a five-run third inning with the help of two Plum errors, three walks and singles by Lisa Huber and Lia Sorce.

Shaler added one more run in the fourth before the 10-run rule went into effect in the fifth. Julie Stampfle doubled to knock in two runs, and Simile singled to drive the 10th run home.

Shaler extended its winning streak to five games and has allowed just one run during that streak. With the shutout, Elstner lowered her earned run average to below 0.66.

"We have been under pressure a lot," Elstner said. "We are a team that does well under pressure. We've been there a lot."

Shaler, last season's WPIAL champs, lost to Pennsbury in the state championship last season and won the PIAA Class AAAA title in 2004.