COLUMBIANA OH- Columbiana softball standout Caitlynn Pleska, affectionately nicknamed the “Clipper Crusher,” recently joined YSN hosts DJ Yokley and Anthony Hartwig to share insights from her illustrious high school career and glimpse into her next chapter.

A four-year varsity leader, Pleska has been the pulse of Columbiana’s surging softball program. “Ever since I was a freshman, I’ve been putting up some good numbers… being Coach Kurtz wanting me to be a leader and helping everyone else and setting the tone,” Pleska said. The pressure to meet expectations is something she’s grown to embrace, setting an example in both mindset and work ethic for her teammates. One shining example of her leadership is Columbiana’s signature home run celebration—the Clipper Plane—where the team “flies” around the bases after going yard. “It’s more of like a tradition now… we’ve kept it going,” Pleska explained, fondly recounting the playful rivalry on who’s got the best “plane” style, a tradition that started her freshman year and showcases the fun, close-knit team atmosphere.

This spring marks the end of an era for Pleska, but she isn’t slowing down. As the Clippers eye another deep playoff run, she remains focused, crediting her older brother—himself a former Columbiana standout—for sparking her motivation. “He was always pushing me, even though he wasn’t technically pushing me. I just wanted to be better than him,” she laughed. Looking ahead, Pleska is bound for Arcadia University in Pennsylvania, where she’ll double major in psychology and criminology while continuing her softball journey at the collegiate level. The decision felt right from the first campus visit, particularly after meeting the coaching staff and touring Arcadia’s iconic castle: “I loved the campus there. I felt like I could be there for the next four years of my life.”

As her high school chapter closes, Pleska remains deeply grateful for the support she’s received from the local and wider softball community. “I have so much love in my heart for everybody that’s watching me and supporting me,” she said. For the younger Clippers who look up to her, she hopes to inspire them to keep striving for their dreams. Her legacy, she believes, is evident in Columbiana’s growth: “Each year we’ve kind of grown to a higher level… It’s just crazy to think about how our little school… is finally putting up some crazy good numbers against some really good teams.” With her leadership, determination, and humility, it’s clear Pleska is leaving behind not just records, but a program ready to soar for years to come.

Presented By: