Runs in the Perkiomen Valley Twilight League can be scarce, according Elias Gabel-Tripp, manager of the Upper Perk Chiefs. He said the outcome is usually

The Chiefs Josh Fell tries to slide into home as the Gab- elsville catcher prepares to tag him out in the first inning.

determined by who plays better defense.

            Two errors by the Chiefs in the top of the seventh inning helped Gablesville rally for a 4-0 victory on Tuesday night at Mechlerly Field.

            The Owls took advantage of two errors to rally for four runs, three of which were unearned, off Bryan Pijanowksi, during the inning. Their defense made all the plays behind Mitch Renninger, who allowed just four hits. Elias Gabel-Tripp described him as an above average pitcher in the league.

            "I definitely think we could be playing better," said shortstop Trey Livingstone. "I think we could swing the bats a little better, too."

            Upper Perk's best scoring opportunity came on the bottom of the first inning off Renninger, when they registered two hits. With two outs and two runners on base, Logan Pennypacker singled to shallow right. But Josh Fell was thrown out at the plate attempting to score.
            Tom Spratt posted two hits for the Chiefs, who managed just three baserunners during the final six innings.  Daron Pijanowski, their starting pitcher, tossed five shutout innings. He allowed two hit, stranding six base runners.  "Daron pitched really well," said Gabel-Tripp, who also played first base and hit third. "He hit his spots."

            The manager brought in Bryan Pijanowski to pitch the sixth inning. It was only his second appearance on the mound this season. "I wanted to get Bryan some work," Gabel-Tripp said. "He's a good pitcher."

            The left hander worked out of a bases loaded, one-out jam in the sixth inning to preserve the scoreless tie. In the seventh, Ben Longacre singled with one out and stole second. Longacre eventually scored on a bases loaded walk. An infield error allowed two more runs to score. The final run came home on a wild pitch.

            On Wednesday, June 12, the Chiefs lost 2-0 to Nor-Gwyn. Vinne Togno absorbed the loss despite tossing a complete game.

Togno scattered eight hits over six innings. Logan Curley recorded all of Upper Perkiomen's three hits. Frank Gailey – a former professional pitcher in the Blue Jays, Phillies and Athletics minor league systems from 2007 to 2014 – registered 13 strikeouts for the Packers.  

            According to Livingstone, winning is not the top priority. However, he said a more favorable outcome would make the experience more fun.

            Livingstone, who is working at a retirement home in Pennsburg while he's home from West Chester University, says he's been able to attend most of the games. According to Gabel-Tripp, 90 percent of the guys on the roster show up regularly.

            Following a road game Wednesday against the Stony Creek Cannons, the Chiefs are scheduled to play four games over a six-day span. On Thursday, they have a road game against the Royersford Rattlers. Home games against the Trooper Tribe (Friday) and Collegeville White Sox (June 24) will follow. They finish the stretch at the Plymouth Diamonds on June 25.