After splitting its initial four games, Upper Perkiomen's softball team has some room for improvement, according to head coach Dean Sullivan. He is waiting for a

Dani Freer scores ahead of the tag during Upper Perk- iomen's 5-2 non-league loss to Souderton.

starter in the corner outfield positions and at third base to emerge.

            "I learned that we have to work on a few things," the coach said.

            Last week, the Indians opened their season with a convincing victory over Pope John Paul II. Madalyn Dyer registered nine strikeouts in four innings in a 15-3 win on Wednesday, March 30 in the Pioneer Athletic Conference.

            The following day, their defense struggled in a 5-2 loss to Souderton. An error lead to three unearned runs in the top of the seventh inning.  "We've got to play better," Sullivan said.

            On Monday, the Tribe (2-1 PAC, 2-2 overall) responded with an 18-4, five-inning road victory over Pottstown.

            Dyer, a junior, scattered just five hits in her varsity debut against Pope John Paul II. She allowed just three unearned runs.  "Madalyn was all smiles," the coach said. "She's right on track for where I thought she would be."

            Lynnsi Joyce and Dani Freer spearheaded the team's 16-hit barrage with four hits each. Joyce, the leadoff hitter, drove in four runs and scored twice. Freer, the No. 4 hitter, scored three runs and drove in two for the visiting Indians, who triggered the 10-run rule with a six-run rally in the top of the fifth. Dyer added two hits and two RBIs at the plate.

            On Thursday, March 31, Upper Perkiomen scored in the bottom of the sixth inning to force a 2-2- tie against Souderton. However, the visiting team added three runs in the top of the seventh inning off Erin Gray. Riley York's RBI hit snapped the deadlock.

            Gray, a sophomore, absorbed the mound loss, mostly due to three unearned runs. She scattered 12 hits against Souderton, which features three Division I hitters.  "Erin held her own," said the coach, who added that strong winds adversely led to a few misplays in the outfield by his team. "She kept us in the game."

            Freer had a hit, an RBI and scored a run. Darby Gasda added a double and a run scored for the Tribe, which posted six hits and struck out 10 times against two Souderton pitchers.

            Moving Joyce – the team's regular catcher, who started behind the plate against Pope John Paul – around the field on defense has created some defensive challenges for the Indians.

            With Joyce in center field against Souderton, Ashley Forrest – who played third base in the season opener -- lined up behind the plate. Sullivan identified Riley Eden – a ninth grader who made two really good plays against Souderton – along with Kylene Gooch, the team's regular second baseman, as possible alternatives at third base.

            Against the Trojans, Dyer and Adrianna Moyer each drove in three runs. Morgan Robinson Mackenzie Schaffer, Gasda and Genevieve Mckeehan each scored three runs for the Tribe, which led 10-3 through five innings.

            On Tuesday, the Indians managed just three hits in a 2-0 loss to Phoenixville, a Frontier Division rival. The visiting Phantoms scored twice in the top of the eighth inning.

            Dyer took the mound loss despite registering 10 strikeouts. Joyce, Dyer and Schaffer each delivered a single for Upper Perkiomen.