Plum's new softball coach is a familiar face to many players in the Mustangs' program.

Jim McGrath has been coaching softball and baseball in Plum for 22 years.

"I've coached most of these girls since they were 7 or 8 years old," said McGrath, who since the early 1990s has served as the secretary of Plum's youth baseball and softball organization, the Plum Borough Athletic Association.

McGrath is familiar with Plum's varsity players because he served as coach of the school's freshman team the last two years.

"I had most of the juniors and sophomores on the freshman team, in fall ball or in our (PBAA) in-house program," he said. "So I've had a good opportunity to work with many of them all year."

McGrath, who was hired as the head coach in December, can't wait to get his team out on the field.

"I'm extremely excited about this opportunity," McGrath said. "I've known these girls for so long. They know what I expect from them."

The new coach takes over a team that went 8-10 in 2007 but just missed qualifying for the WPIAL playoffs.

The Mustangs were 8-7 and finished fourth in Section 2-AAAA, one spot from a playoff berth.

It would have been Plum's third consecutive trip to the playoffs. The Mustangs qualified in 2005 and 2006.

"The girls have that winning attitude," McGrath said. "I think we have a real good shot at getting back to the playoffs this year."

Six regulars return from last season: senior first baseman Lauren McCann, senior second baseman Lauren McGrath, senior pitcher Julie Dilonardo, junior catcher Nina Donatucci, junior shortstop Nicole Guido and junior center fielder Courtney Keene.

Senior Celeste Donatucci will be the left fielder, and junior Casey Garrity is moving up from the junior varsity team to take over the third base spot.

Senior Laura Rosko will serve as the team's designated hitter or play in the outfield, where she is among a group of players competing for playing time. The others are juniors Ashley Lovas, Breanne Rings and Sami Crankshaw and sophomore Alexis DeShong.

Dilonardo is the starting pitcher, but McGrath also expects to use freshman Athena Kaufmann on the mound.

"Both pitchers are extremely good," he said. "They've both played on fast-pitch tournament teams a long time."

McGrath expects Plum to contend for one of three playoff berths in Section 2-AAAA. Kiski Area is the defending section champ, and Penn Hills and Gateway were playoff teams in 2007.

"We've been working indoors in the batting cages and in the gym," McGrath said. "We've been focusing more on the offensive side, and we're making sure our fielding mechanics are up to par.

"Game strategy will be a big thing, too."

The Mustangs open their season Thursday at Shaler Area and then travel to Penn-Trafford March 28. Plum opens section play March 31 at McKeesport.