Toren Choudri decided to stop throwing his four-seam fastball after one hitter. The Perkiomen School senior figured another pitch would be more effective.

            After issuing a walk, Choudri moved on to his two-seam fastball. The change led to six solid innings and a 5-1 win over Quakertown last week.

            Choudri allowed just one run and three base runners during his first career start

Perkiomen School third baseman Issac Pena tags our  Quakertown's Danny Qualteria at third base during the  third inning last week.

for the team, which posted its first victory of the season. He surrendered two hits while striking out four on March 29 at Baker Field.  "I was able to make the adjustment," said Choudri, who threw 75 pitches.

            More importantly, it allowed Perkiomen School (2-1) to turn the page from a season-opening loss one day earlier. Head coach Ken Baker described a 13-2 loss to Springside Chestnut Hill Academy as a "debacle."

            Cesar Lopez delivered the decisive hit, a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning off Quakertown starter Matthew Martsen. Lopez finished with two hits.

            Erick Diaz drove in an unearned run on a ground ball in the third inning. Juan Sanchez delivered an RBI double during a two-run rally in the fourth inning to help secure Perkiomen School's first victory as an independent. The team withdrew from the Penn Jersey Athletic Association following a five-inning defeat in the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association Tournament 11 months ago.

            According to Baker, league play did not adequately prepare his team for its opening round game, which ended with a 12-1 loss to William Penn Charter. The competition provided no value to the players individually or collectively. He described the situation as untenable.

            "There was no value for us or our opponents," said the coach, whose team captured the league title the two previous seasons and 27 overall championships.

            In lieu of league opponents, Baker has built a challenging schedule with games against private schools throughout southeastern Pennsylvania such as Episcopal Academy, George School, Malvern Prep, Friends Central, Faith Christian Academy, the Hill School, Lansdale Catholic and a rematch with the Blue Devils.

            Perkiomen School has also scheduled two opponents from New Jersey – the Hun School and Lawrenceville School – a doubleheader rematch with Citrus Prep Academy, located in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., as well as a Thursday home game against Plymouth Whitemarsh, which competes in the PIAA Suburban One Conference.

            However, Baker admitted that playing all those games might be difficult. He said opponents looking to make up league games often cancel non-league contests.  "Once the games are postponed, they are hard to make up," said Baker, whose contest with Episcopal Academy on Saturday was postponed due to inclement weather.

            Against Quakertown (1-3), which qualified for the District One Class 6A playoffs last season, Choudri profiled as an effective mound performer. In his first start for Perkiomen, the Bayside Queens native walked Danny Qualteria to open the game.

            Though Qualteria stole second, third and scored on Vinny Pelligrini's ground ball, Choudri settled in. He retired the next eight Quakertown hitters.  "Toren did a good job keeping his emotions in check," Baker said. "He has a tendency to get fired up."

            Qualteria's third-inning double snapped the string. However, Perkiomen School catcher Avery Smith threw out Qualteria attempting to steal third to end the inning.

            Over his final three innings, Choudri allowed just one hit and struck out two. Nate Romberger retired the side in the seventh inning.  "That's the kind of performance I expect of myself every time out," said Choudri, who has committed verbally to continue his career at the University of Maine.

            On Monday, the Panthers needed just five innings to post an 11-1 win over the Hun School. Smith registered two hits, including a three-run homer to highlight a five-run rally in the third inning. He finished with four RBIs.

            Cesar Lopez added two hits and scored twice for Perkiomen School, which added six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Zach Mayza and Isaac Pena delivered run-scoring hits during the rally.

            Starting pitcher Juan Sanchez earned the victory by allowing one run in four hits. Romberger worked the fifth inning.