Lyndsey Quinn may be Upper Perkiomen's most experienced returning player and its most accomplished pitcher. However, the junior appears to have a different role with the team.

        "It's not a really big deal if I don't pitch much this year," Quinn said. "I'll do whatever the coaches want me to do, whatever is best for the team."

        According to head coach Walt Schmidt, the Indians will rely on quintet of quality pitchers to compete in the Pioneer Athletic Conference until its 11-player roster loaded with rookies adjusts to the level of play.

        He said they are going to have the opportunity to work out of trouble on the mound, adding that they can't afford to lose confidence if they are struggling. 

"Our newcomers have a lot of athletic talent," Schmidt said. "They are all hard workers and I'm pleased with their efforts. They have to feel their way through and learn the game, hopefully faster than what they are used to."

        According to the coach, his expectations could be raised "quite a bit" if the players quickly figure out what it takes to compete in the challenging Pioneer Athletic Conference.

        Quinn, one of three returning starters, which includes classmates Chloe Clemente and Laura Frank, called the expectation of qualifying for the PAC-10 playoffs realistic so long as the team continues working hard.

        The Indians are extremely young, according to Schmidt. He said eight of their nine starters who played in their season-opening loss to Spring-Ford made their varsity debut on March 23.

        In a 7-0 loss, they managed just two hits. Emily Moll, a sophomore, absorbed the loss on the mound, permitting two earned runs in four innings.

        As Upper Perkiomen's top pitcher in 2014, Quinn registered 127 strikeouts and was named PAC-10 honorable mention. But she has not pitched in the team's initial two games.

        In a 15-0, four-inning victory over Pottstown on Monday, she played center field, going 2-for-3 and scoring three runs.  "I'll play where ever I am needed," said Quinn, who pitched in an early-season scrimmage against Quakertown.

        Taylor Lindsay and Alyssa Sullivan dominated on the mound. The freshmen combined to allow one hit while striking out 11. Lindsay, the starter, fanned eight in three no-hit innings.

        Sarah Heidler, a sophomore, finished with three hits and scored three runs at the top of Upper Perkiomen's order. Classmate Olivia Young delivered an RBI triple.

        Moll was scheduled to start Tuesday's game on the mound against Boyertown, which was postponed, according to Schmidt.

Quinn said she discussed the possibility of pitching the seventh inning as a closer with the coach.

        The team's quintet of pitchers includes Karlee Fretz, a freshman who is catching the others.  "Karlee is doing extremely well behind the plate," Schmidt said. "She hasn't gotten too many chances to throw."

        According to the coach, Quinn, Taylor and Moll are "all pretty equal" on the mound.

        "I don't feel like it hurts the team too much to start any one of them," Schmidt said.