The Plum varsity girls softball team finished 7-8 in Section 2-AAA, one game behind Gateway (8-7) for the third and final playoff spot.

The Lady Mustangs lost an 8-7 heartbreaker to the Lady Gators on April 29 that turned out to be the difference in the chase for the playoffs.

Gateway scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to rally for the win.

"Those close losses were pretty frustrating," said Jim McGrath, Plum head coach. "They were heartbreakers."

But McGrath was quick to point out the several big wins this season, including a 7-5 victory over playoff-bound Mc- Keesport, a 4-1 win over section champion Kiski and a 1-0 triumph in the first game of a doubleheader against Penn Hills.

Plum finished 8-10 overall.

"The girls played really hard this season, no matter what challenges were put in front of them," McGrath said.

The Lady Mustangs closed out their season on a positive note with a 13-8 non-section victory at Fox Chapel last week.

The game was tied 5-5 at the end of the sixth. Plum broke open the game with eight runs in the top of the seventh.

The Lady Foxes rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh, but they could get no closer.

Plum seniors Julie Di- Lonardo, Lauren McCann, Lauren McGrath and Laura Rosko closed out their varsity careers.

DiLonardo, who will continue her academic and athletic pursuits at Geneva College, finished as the team leader in batting at .391 (18 for 46).

She won six games in the pitching circle, allowing 10 earned runs in 80.7 innings pitched (0.87 ERA), while striking out 107 and walking 27.

"The seniors were a determined group," coach McGrath said.

"I coached them in leagues before they got into high school. I've seen them grow and mature. They will be missed."

Catcher Nina Donatucci was second in batting at .385 (20 for 52). She also led the team in RBIs (19) and doubles (6).

Also back next season to form the core of the varsity team are Courtney Keene, Kristy Langnese, Athena Kaufman, Casey Garrity, Bailey Rings, Nicci Guido, Sami Crankshaw and Breanne Rings.

Breanne Rings, a junior, missed almost the entire season after suffering two broken bones in her ankle while sliding into second against Gate- way on April 2.

She is set to get the cast taken off and will begin strength training for summer softball.