Last fall, David Smith embraced a leadership role for The Perkiomen School's baseball team. Part of his duties included texting teammates to make sure they attended 6 a.m. weight lifting sessions three days a week.

            "I knew we had a very young team," said Smith, a sophomore from Collegeville.

            This spring, his example on the field helped the Panthers continue their string of championships. On Monday, they defeated Collegium Charter School 7-0 in the Tri-County Independent School League title game.

            Nick Guadarrama and Smith combined to limit the visiting Cougars to two hits. At the plate, Smith delivered two doubles and drove in three runs. Guadarrama added two hits and an RBI for The Perkiomen School, which has won 23 consecutive titles in the Keystone Athletic Conference and its current league since 1995.

            "Winning the league is always important," head coach Ken Baker said. "We know that this league is not as strong as others. We've had years before where it's been a dog fight."

            The Panthers (14-1) rolled through the league playoffs en route to their most recent title.

            On Thursday, May 4, they needed just five innings to defeat Renaissance Academy 14-4. Chris Pow went 4-for-4 with two doubles and drove in four runs. Smith delivered two hits, including a double, and also posted 4 RBIs. Jayden Kemp registered two hits and scored twice.

            Pow tossed 2 2/3 innings of relief to earn the mound victory. He permitted three unearned runs and registered three strikeouts.

            During Monday's title game, The Perkiomen School took a commanding 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Zack Smith drove home Guadarrama from second base with a bloop single to right. Zack Smith then scored on David Smith's two-out double.

            The Panthers, taking advantage of an outfield error and a balk against the Collegium pitcher, added four runs in the bottom of the fifth. Naty Urbina scored from third on a misplayed fly ball off the bat of Guadarrama. Ian Diaz delivered an RBI single to right, and David Smith capped the rally with a two-run double.

            Guadarrama, their starting pitcher, allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out seven in four innings to earn the victory. David Smith struck out six in three no-hit innings to earn the save.

            "Collegium is not a bad team," he said. "We knew they were going to hit. We understood that we were going to have to battle. We play every game like we're facing the New York Yankees. We don't take anything for granted."

            According to Baker, the players have made significant strides, especially on defense, since their Spring Training trip to Puerto Rico in March. He said the team has minimized that one bad inning when they make multiple errors.

            "We're doing the little things better," the coach said.

            The Perkiomen School shifts its focus to the Pennsylvania Independent School State Tournament, which begins May 23. According to Baker, the goal of winning a state title, despite having only two seniors on the roster, has not changed.

            "Anything less than embracing that challenge would be a mistake," he said.

            According to David Smith, all the players believe the Panthers can win the state title. He said they must deliver their best performances to accomplish the goal.