Tribe softball falls to Pennridge in non-league game

                The good news outweighed the bad for the young Upper Perkiomen softball squad last week as the team stood at 2-1 in the PAC-10 after pummeling Pope John Paul, 9-3. Even a non-league loss to Pennridge last Thursday had a couple of silver linings to it.

                The Tribe got a complete game from sophomore Emily Moll in the win over PJP. Moll allowed five hits and one earned run while striking out six despite struggling with control at times.

                The offense had nine hits and put up a six spot in the third inning to take a 7-1 lead. Sara Heidler and Chloe Clemente led the way with two hits apiece. Moll helped her cause with two RBI's. Heidler (double) and Laura Frank scored two runs apiece.

                Olivia Young opened the game with a triple and scored on Heidler's bunt to give the Tribe an early lead.

                The game against Pennridge was a different story as the Rams handed Upper Perk an 11-0 defeat.

                The visitors got off to a quick start when Briana Gery singled in Lisa Bahmueller in the first for a 1-0 lead.

                In the bottom of the inning, Young and Lynsey Quinn singled with one out but were stranded. In the second, Alyssa Sullivan and Chloe Clemente singled with one out but were also left on.

                Pennridge added a run in the third and then sent 12 girls to the plate in a six run fourth inning that salted the game away.

                Gery, the Pennridge second baseman, was right in the middle of the damage with a two-run double to left that knocked Quinn, the Tribe starter, out of the game. Gery would end the day 4 for 5 with six RBI's and two doubles.

                Ram pitchers Alyssa Hughes and Meghan Johnson shut down the Tribe offense almost totally, retiring 15 of 16 hitters after Heidler's leadoff single in the third inning.

                For coach Schmidt, the day was not a total loss for a couple of reasons.

                Schmidt was happy to see Quinn, last year's ace of the staff, on the mound for the first time in 2015. Her debut had been delayed by a mission trip and then a choir trip.

                Quinn lasted 3 1/3 innings, giving up nine hits, but Schmidt was pleased with her work.

                "She did a good job," Schmidt said. "She's a little behind on her throwing. Her movement ball wasn't there today, and it's a whole lot better than that."

                The coach was also pleased with his team's attitude as he tries to establish a serious culture on a team with no seniors and only three juniors.

                "They did a lot of things that we have been practicing. They're getting into the game, understanding the game, how you perform, in what you do on the bench, on-base, at bat. That's the thing I'm happiest about.

                "They were even into it today, but it's hard to stay into it when you hit the ball and their running around catching it, and they are scoring runs on you."

                Schmidt likes the athletic ability he sees on the field and, after last week, he is optimistic that the team is heading in the direction of steady improvement and, possibly, some postseason action.

                "I'd like to see us win enough games and beat enough good teams to get to districts in our class."