An early offensive outburst and Jackson Long's solid pitching performance carried Upper Perkiomen to a lopsided victory Monday. A 10-0, five-inning win over Norristown in the Pioneer Athletic Conference pulled the team one step closer to a

Brayden Adam slides safely into second base on a stolen base during the second inning Monday against Norristown.

district playoff berth.

            The Indians (9-7 overall, 6-6 PAC) parlayed four successfully executed bunts during the first inning into a seven-run rally during their initial night game of the season at Bonekemper Field. On the mound, Long worked around six hits and two walks over five innings.

            According to head coach Bobby Saeger, the improvement of multiple sophomores – including second baseman Jack Rieg and right fielder Nate Schramm – has allowed the Tribe to contend for a spot in the District One Class 4A tournament. With four games remaining, the team is on pace to qualify as the No. 11 team in the power rankings. It could qualify for the PAC Final Four by sweeping its remaining games.

            "We're playing extremely well," Saeger said.

            Rieg delivered two hits and drove in two runs for Upper Perkiomen, which snapped a two-game conference losing streak. Zane Saeger added two hits and scored two runs.

            Brayden Adam and Long also drove in two runs. Rieg and Long each contributed a two-run hit during the decisive first inning. Long's double off Eagles starting pitcher Tyler Ronca, who did not record an out, capped the rally.

            An infield error on Saeger's ground ball leading off the inning triggered the flurry for the Indians, whose initial six hitters reached base safely. Jordin Dice and Cole Pierce followed with perfectly placed bunts down the third base line to load the bases.

            Adam forced in the first run when he was hit by a pitch. Rieg drove home two with a single up the middle before Schramm followed with a bunt hit down the first base line. Long's two-run hit followed Grayson Sabo's sacrifice.

            The Indians used a similar approach to take an early lead against Norristown in its 8-1 victory on March 27. According to Saeger, the opposition started a different third baseman in the rematch.

            Last week, the Indians managed just one hit against two Spring-Ford pitchers in a 3-1 loss. Zane Saeger drove in the team's only run on a second inning single on Thursday, April 24.
            Rams starting pitcher Ethan Freed struck out eight in five innings to earn the victory. Andrew Wible tossed two shutout innings to record a save.

            Spring-Ford scored all its runs in the bottom of the third inning with two outs off Liam Weiss. Jake Witmer's double forced a 1-1 tie. An outfield error on a ball off the bat of Liam Quinn, with two runners on base, capped the scoring.

            Weiss worked 4 2/3 innings, scattering five hits and striking out four. Long recorded the final four outs for the Indians.

            Last week, the Upper Perkiomen pitchers couldn't contain Perkiomen Valley's offense. The visiting Vikings registered 15 hits and overcame five errors to post a 12-6 victory on Wednesday, April 23.

            Braden Tighe delivered four hits and drove in five runs for Perkiomen Valley, which scored in five of seven innings.

            Liam McNeill and Andrew Keenan each posted three hits for the Vikings, who trailed 6-4 after the Tribe scored five runs in the bottom of the third inning. McNeill scored four runs, while Keenan crossed the plate twice.

            Nicholas Cress earned the mound victory in relief. He tossed the final three innings without allowing a run and scattering three hits.

            Pierce and Rieg each delivered two hits and two RBIs for the Indians, who finished with 10 hits. Pierce scored two runs.

            Down 4-1, Upper Perk rallied for four runs in the bottom of the third inning on six hits. An infield error on Saeger's grounder leading off the inning sparked the outburst.

            Pierce scored two on a single to right. Two hitters later, Jack Rieg drove him home with a hit. Jack Schramm and Grayson Sabo each contributed run-scoring singles.