Sarah Heidler and Morgan Linsday completed Upper Perkiomen's rally from a four-run deficit Thursday afternoon. Heidler moved to third base on Lindsay's run-scoring double and scored an unearned run on the same play in the fourth inning

 to pull her team even.

            However, the Indians couldn't score another run in the PIAA Class 4A softball playoffs. Bangor, the District 11 champions, scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to post an 8-4 quarterfinal victory at Lyons Field in Fleetwood.

            "I'm sad the season is over," said Heidler, Upper Perkiomen's senior shortstop.

            Kaitlyn Caleen's solo home run with one out in the top off the seventh off Taylor Lindsay snapped a 4-4 tie for the Slaters, who advanced to Monday's semifinal round. Olivia Groller delivered a two-run triple later in the inning and scored on an error by Heidler on an infield ground ball.

            The offensive outburst ended the most successful softball season in the history of Upper Perkiomen High School. The Indians (23-4), coached by Dean Sullivan, reached the Pioneer Athletic Conference's title game. It captured the team's first District One championship and state playoff win.

            "It's great that we got this far," Heidler said." But everyone would have preferred to go the whole way."

            Early on, the defensive issues that plagued the team the entire season helped create an early 4-0 deficit.

            With one out in the top of the first inning, Bangor strung together four consecutive base runners on three singles and a walk. Dani Fey and Caleen delivered back-to-back, run-scoring hits.

            With runners at the corners, the Slaters scored pair of unearned runs when an errant throw to second base, trying to catch Caleen who was attempting to steal second base, went into centerfield allowing the runner on third to score and allowing Caleen to race home.

            During a meeting on the mound, Sullivan reminded his players they were still in the game.  "We had seven at-bats left," the coach said. "I knew they would not have trouble scoring four runs."

            The Indians responded, scoring once in the bottom of the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Morgan Lindsay and once in the third on a double to left by Taylor Lindsay.

            They forged a 4-4 tie in the fourth inning on a two-out rally. Emily Moll reached on an infield error, took second on single by Heidler and scored on a double by Morgan Lindsay.

            Sullivan credited the contributions of a quintet of senior travel players including Heidler, Moll, Kourtne Buck, Young and Carly Berhnardt, for creating the foundation for the success. He said the returning players, as well as few newcomers, will be challenged more next year.

            "Getting this far is a huge accomplishment," the coach said. "It means a lot to the girls, me and the school district."