Pitching depth will likely carry the Perkiomen School baseball team this spring. According to head coach Ken Baker, the team includes 11 pitchers that he can utilize in meaningful games. 

        "All 11 could pitch in an important game," junior Levi Stoudt said.

        Baker said the Panthers' overall depth is as good as any team he had ever coached.  "We've got 12 guys that would start any other year," the coach said.

        "This is one of the more talented teams we've had in a while," Stoudt said.

        On Saturday, five pitchers combined to allow just one hit and two baserunners in a 7-0 non-league victory over Lower Moreland at Baker Field.

        The coach called the quintet, which included Stoudt, Christian del Toro, Devon Crossin, Josh Cruz and Javi Quinones, Perkiomen School's top five pitchers.

        The pitchers dispensed of the Lions hitters with statistical efficiency. According to Perkiomen School assistant coach Mike Romasco, they averaged just 11.8 pitches per inning, threw a first-pitch strike to 73 percent of the hitters and worked a 1-2 count or forced opposing hitters to put one of the first three pitches they saw into play at a rate of 91 percent.

        Stoudt, the Panthers' starter, struck out three in three perfect innings.  "Levi pitched unbelievably," Baker said.

        Angel Lopez delivered two of Perkiomen School's four hits and finished with three RBI. His two-run single in the second inning staked the team to a 5-0 lead. Tom Aaron's sacrifice fly capped the team's four-run rally. Stoudt and del Toro each scored two runs in the victory.

        Except for an extra-inning loss to Springside Chestnut Hill Academy earlier this month, the Panthers (6-1) have dominated the opposition. They have surrendered one run in their six wins.  During that time, Baker has utilized the deep bench. He said making sure every player gets into every game is a coaching priority.

        According to the coach, players will continue to be shifted defensively until he finds a favorable combination. Baker did not put a timetable on that defensive experimentation.  "I don't think we lose anything by putting anyone of the field," he said. "The ceiling for this team can be pretty high."

        According to Stoudt, too many lopsided wins allow the Panthers to get a little too overconfident.  He said their hitters would benefit from facing better pitching.

        "There are times, when you have a big lead, that you don't give as much effort as you could," Stoudt said. "But we are working pretty hard in practice to stay focused on our quest."

        Baker said the Panthers need to improve on the mental aspects of the game. According to the coach, they made several defensive mistakes to squander a three-run lead in the sixth inning at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy on April 11. Eventually they lost, 8-7, in eight innings.

        "We've got to do a better job in pressure situations," Baker said.

        According to the coach, Perkiomen School should be tested this week by a doubleheader against Penn Charter on Saturday.

        "I'll have a better idea about where things stand at the end of the week," Baker said.