Upper Perkiomen's lopsided loss earlier this month irritated its head coach. However, Dean Miller says his players continued to persevere.  "They never stopped

Riley Eden is forced out at first base on an infirld grounder against Pope John Paul II last week.

laughing and smiling," the coach said.

            Since a 10-run loss to Spring-Ford on April 11, the Indians have reeled off five consecutive victories. Their offense has made strides, according to Sullivan.

            The five-inning, 10-0 defeat was the first against the team since 2018. The coach said those are difficult for him to shake.

            On Monday, the Indians scored early and often to post a 6-2 road victory over Norristown. Leadoff hitter Darby Gasda finished with two hits and scored two runs. Dani Freer and Madalyn Dyer both posted two hits and drove in one run for the Indians, who led 5-0 after two innings.

            The Tribe rolled to a 7-1 victory over Pope John Paul II on Friday, April 22. Darby Gasda's three-hit performance paced a 12-hit barrage. Gasda also scored twice and drove in two runs in its fourth consecutive win.

            Lynnsi Joyce, Kylene Gooch and Ashley Forrest each added two hits. Gooch drove in two runs in the third inning to extend a 2-0 lead. Madalyn Dyer's RBI groundout capped the rally and put her team ahead 5-0. Mackenzie Schaffer drove in two runs.

            Erin Gray went the distance on the mound. She permitted just six hits and two unearned runs while striking out 15.

            Against Pope John Paul II, Gasda delivered consecutive RBI hits in the fourth and fifth innings. She drove in Morgan Robinson, who led off the fourth with a triple to right, and Erin Gray, who delivered a pinch single in the fifth.

            The Indians (4-2 PAC, 7-3 overall) scored two runs in the second inning without hitting the ball out of the infield. Riley Eden drove in the first run on a grounder. Morgan Robinson drove in the other on a bunt hit.  "For some reason, we struggle with slower pitchers," the coach said.

            Dyer earned the mound victory for the Indians. She registered 11 strikeouts and allowed just one run on two hits over five innings. Gray recorded the final six outs.

            On Wednesday, April 20, the Tribe posted its third consecutive victory. The team parlayed a six-run rally in the second inning to notch a 7-2 win over Upper Merion in the Frontier Division.

            Freer registered three hits to lead a 12-hit attack. Dyer delivered two hits, drove in two runs and stole a base for the Indians. She also allowed just one run on five hits in five innings to earn the mound victory.

            Upper Perkiomen's top six hitters have been the same all season. Gasda has provided a spark with her speed, noted the coach.  "Darby is hitting well," Sullivan said of the sophomore, who plays left field. "She gives us everything she has."

            The bottom three spots of the Tribe's lineup remain in flux. Four girls are currently competing for three spots, according to the coach.

            Schaffer has recently earned the spot at first base. She can also play third base and right field. "She's been great," Sullivan said.

            Eden has gotten most of the recent at-bats at third base. Sullivan said Robinson and Katilyn Adair are competing for playing time in right field.  "We're probably going to go with the hot hitter," he said.