Dani Freer waited three years to compete in the Pioneer Athletic Conference playoffs. On Tuesday, Freer and her Upper Perkiomen softball teammates made the most of their opportunity.

            The Indians relied on the pitching of Madalyn Dyer, impressive defense by Kylene Gooch and timely contact at the plate to post a 2-0 semifinal round victory over

Kylene Gooch steals second base during the sixth inning Tuesday night against Owen J. Roberts. The senior event- ually scored an insurance run in Upper Perkiomen's 2-0 Pioneer Athletic Conference playoff win.

Owen J. Roberts at Boyertown High School. Freer claimed they utilized hard work and passion to reach Wednesday's title game against the host Bears.

            "It feels very deserving," the senior shortstop said.

            According to Freer, winning the conference title would mean the world to her, especially after waiting since her ninth-grade season to compete in the playoffs. In 2019, the Indians, who have won six consecutive Frontier Division titles, lost 6-1 to Methacton in the opening round.

            Two years earlier, they opened the Final Four with a 3-2 win over Owen J. Roberts before losing 2-0 to Perkiomen Valley in the title game at Spring-Ford.

            Inclement weather canceled the 2018 playoffs. Concerns over the novel coronavirus pandemic eliminated the entire season in 2020 and the playoffs in 2021.

            Dyer, a junior, went the distance on the mound against the No. 3 seeded Wildcats. She allowed the Wildcats just five singles and registered six strikeouts.  "Madalyn was the difference," head coach Dean Sullivan said of Dyer, who stranded five runners and issued one walk. "She threw a great game. She hit all her spots."

            Gooch, Upper Perkiomen's sure-handed second baseman, recorded seven assists. Two came in the top of the seventh inning, including a diving play to her right on a hard grounder by Jacqi Skonieczny leading off the frame.

            "I love having Kylene on the field behind me," Dyer said.

            Catcher Ashley Forrest made her defensive impact during the third inning. She threw out an Owen J. Roberts base runner attempting to steal second base.

            The Tribe's offense, which managed just three hits, made the most of its offensive opportunities. It scored an unearned run in the first inning and added an insurance tally in the bottom of the sixth inning on Dyer's sacrifice fly.

            "Coming into the year, we didn't have as much talent as previous seasons," Sullivan said. "Sometimes we have trouble making contact. It's been a fun ride,"

            According to Freer, the No. 2 seeded Indians (13-6) took a more aggressive approach in their rematch against Nat Allred. In a 7-1 loss on May 9, they struck out 13 times and managed just three hits.  "I thought we had a different mentality," Freer said. "We were trying to get into her head."

            The Tribe scored an unearned run in the first inning with two outs. Freer doubled and scored two hitters later on an errant throw by OJR shortstop Emmie Feltenburg on Dyer's infield hit.

            The team added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Gooch, who worked a leadoff walk, stole second and was sacrificed to third. She scored on Dyer's fly ball to center.

            Six days earlier, the Indians clinched a spot in the playoffs by taking advantage of three errors by Upper Merion in a 6-2 win. Freer delivered two hits, including a home run, and scored three runs on Wednesday, May 11.

            Dyer added two hits. Makenzie Schaffer and Kailyn Adair each drove in a run.

            On the mound, Dyer scattered six hits and worked around six walks to earn the win. She struck out seven hitters.

            On Thursday, the Indians will end their regular season by completing their non-league game at Quakertown. It was suspended Friday, May 13.

            The Tribe will open the District One Class 5A playoffs on May 25 needing two victories to qualify for the state tournament. A win would catapult it to a semifinal round game two days later.