Plum American Legion manager Bill Holmes isn't sure how many times his team has qualified for the Allegheny County playoffs in his 25 years at the helm.

"It's at least 15 times, maybe as many as 18 or 19," said Holmes, who joined the Plum coaching staff in 1978 and became manager in 1983. "I've been very fortunate to coach so many talented baseball players over the years."

Plum claimed its most recent Allegheny County playoff berth by posting a 20-2 record, which earned Holmes' squad a share of the Allegheny River League title.

"Our goal every year is to qualify for the Region 6 Tournament and win the title," Holmes said. "We've won three region titles, in 1981, 1987 and 1989."

Plum earned its fifth consecutive Region 6 berth by winning three consecutive games in the Allegheny County Tournament, which concluded this week.

"We had two of our worst defensive performances of the season in the opening two rounds of the playoffs, but were fortunate to win both games," Holmes said. "We had four errors in the first round game and three in the second game."

Plum faced Keystone Oaks in the first round and recorded a 7-6 victory. Holmes' squad posted the same score in its second-round victory against Peters Township/Canon-Millan.

"Our offensive output has been consistent the entire season," he said. "We've played 32 games and have scored 237 runs, while allowing only 66. That's more than seven runs a game. There can't be many teams in Allegheny County averaging that many runs per game."

Plum scored only three runs in Monday's semifinal game against Chartiers Valley/South Fayette. But it didn't matter because pitcher Zane Wallace improved his record to 5-0 by allowing only two runs in a complete-game performance.

"Our pitching has been solid all year," Holmes said. "We have five pitchers who have recorded three or more wins."

Clint White leads Plum with a 6-0 record. Dave Weifenbaugh and Scott McGough are 3-0, and Rich Navari is 3-1. Weifenbaugh and McGough are relief pitchers.

McGough and catcher/third baseman Anthony DeFabio have been Plum's best hitters. McGough, who also plays shortstop, has a .511 average with 8 doubles, 2 triples, and 30 runs batted in. DeFabio has a .522 average with 6 doubles, 4 triples, 2 home runs and 40 runs batted in.

"Scott hits second in our lineup, and Anthony hits third," Holmes said. "Dave [Weifenbaugh] is our leadoff hitter, and Clint [White] is our cleanup hitter."

Weifenbaugh, who also plays in the outfield, is hitting .463 with eight doubles and 20 RBI. White has a .394 average with 11 doubles, three home runs, and 31 RBI.

"Anthony missed our first two playoff games due to family obligations," Holmes said. "He made it back for Monday's game and should be available for the region playoffs."

McGough has received a scholarship offer from the University of Oregon but was also drafted by the Pirates. He has yet to make a decision.

Weifenbaugh is hoping to play at the University of Akron in his first year of college. DeFabio plans to play at Duquesne. White will be at Seton Hill, while Wallace plans to try out at Penn State Behrend.

"We have a good mix of experienced and younger players," Holmes said.

Others who have made a significant contribution are outfielder Brad Beckett, outfielder/pitcher Nick Ferracano, outfielder Joe Garofalo, pitcher/outfielder Nick Manupelli, second baseman/pitcher Vince Garofalo, catcher C.J. Stotler and infielder Vinnie Bergamsco.

"Scott [McGough] and Joe [Garofalo] were chosen to play in the East-West Legion Showcase in Harrisburg," said Holmes of the all-star game, which is scheduled for Aug. 2-3 in Harrisburg. "Scott is the first player to qualify for the East-West game four times. That's quite an accomplishment."

Plum is scheduled to open the Region 6 playoffs on Saturday against Charleroi.

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NOTE: Swissvale and Penn Hills also qualified for the Allegheny County playoffs, but both teams made a quick exit after losing twice.

Swissvale, the Mon-Yough League champions, dropped a 6-3 decision to Chartiers Valley/South Fayette in the opening round of the county playoffs, then lost, 3-1, to Springdale in the consolation bracket.

Penn Hills, the fourth-place finisher in the Allegheny River League, lost, 14-0, to Baldwin in the first round, then dropped a 4-3 decision to West View/Ross in the consolation bracket.