Plum youth softball team rolls to league championship

Michael Love
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020 9:48 p.m. | Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020 9:48 p.m.

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Submitted by Justin Stephans

The Plum 12U fast-pitch softball team went undefeated through the regular season and playoffs to claim the Eastern Girls Fast Pitch Softball League World Series championship. In front, from left, are Alaina Claasen, Kadence Ohmer, Mercy Newell, Keyera Watkins and Bella Malak. In back are Gia Tavella, Brooke Bernosky, Riley Stephans, Dani Pici, Chloe Cochran and Mackenzie Marotta.

The Plum Stephans 12U girls fast-pitch softball team dominated the competition this summer to claim the World Series title in its Eastern Girls Fast Pitch Softball League division.

In 12 games — nine in the regular-season and three in the playoffs — Plum posted six shutouts and outscored its opponents 163-14.

As the top seed for the playoffs, Plum earned a bye into the quarterfinals and then blanked Norwin PAL Telli, 10-0, and White Oak Thomas, 12-0, to reach the championship game.

Plum faced Penn Trafford Athletic Association Ruane in the finals Aug. 13 and claimed the title with a 4-0 victory.

“This was a total team effort,” coach Justin Stephens said. “Everyone contributed.”

Riley Stephans and Mackenzie Marotta shared the pitching duties.

Coach Stephans said the core group has enjoyed a great deal of success in the league in recent seasons.

Plum won 10U regular-season titles in 2017 and ‘18 and added a World Series title in 2018.

“Watching this for a number of years, I’ve come to expect it,” coach Stephens said concerning the team’s success.

“I have high expectations for the players, and they meet those expectations. It’s fun to coach them and see them get better with the work they do in and out of the season. We had the Plum varsity coach (Phil DiLonardo) helping coach this year. The future is bright.”