Majority of players dismissed from varsity roster

          Nolan Graber took his position at third base Tuesday surrounded by unfamiliar faces. Most of the teammates he has grown up playing with, and those he's

befriended in recent years, are no longer on Upper Perkiomen's varsity baseball roster. 

          "It was weird not having them there," Graber said.

          In their first game since school officials dismissed several players from the team, the Indians suffered a 5-2 non-league loss Tuesday against Brandywine Heights. Playing mostly with former members of the junior varsity team, they managed just two hits at Bonekemper Field.

          Head coach Frank Mercon and high school Principal Robert Carpenter deferred all questions on the situation to Superintendent Alexis McGloin.

          On Wednesday morning, McGloin explained that the players were removed for violating team rules earlier this season. She refused to identify how many players were ousted or provide any further details about the incident that led to their removal.

          "I can't talk about student discipline," McGloin said Wednesday morning. "I'm not going to go into detail."

          Only Graber, Daulton Butz, Remington Harris and Eric Schneider remain from the original varsity roster. Graber and Butz have received regular playing time this season, while Schneider served as the team's backup catcher.

          All four were joined in Tuesday's starting lineup by six players making their varsity debut. Mercon got several former junior varsity players into the game, including nine freshmen.

          Upper Perkiomen scored single runs in the fifth and sixth innings after falling behind 4-0. The team's best scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the first with runners on second and third with one out. But Graber chased a high fastball for strike three, and Harris popped out to the pitcher.

          "Maybe I was trying a little bit too hard there," said Graber, a senior.

          Continuing with Pioneer Athletic Conference games against Methacton on Wednesday and Spring-Ford on Friday, the Indians roster will feature two seniors, two juniors and 21 newcomers moving forward. Mercon described the situation as the toughest challenge of his coaching career and an opportunity to develop the young players.

          "We're going to be very positive and supportive," said the coach, adding that the move eliminates the need for a JV schedule. "It's all about survival. We really can't afford to look past any opponent."

          Graber considers part of his responsibilities as a team leader includes helping the younger players become acclimated to speed of varsity baseball.

          "It's a big jump from junior varsity," he said.

          Mercon said he wanted get the newcomers acclimated to varsity action. David Kilroy, the second of four Upper Perkiomen pitchers, tossed two shutout innings despite issuing three walks. Alexander Boldizar worked a scoreless seventh inning. Kilroy and Lance Templeton each registered a hit. 

          "The goal is to win one more game this season," Mercon said. 

          Following Tuesday's game, the coach addressed the players and the families about what will be happening as the team moves forward in the incident aftermath, according to someone familiar with the situation.

          McGloin also expressed support for Mercon, the team's head baseball coach since 2011. "We stand behind him from an administrative standpoint," the superintendent said.