An inability by its pitchers to throw consistent strikes during the regular season will likely force the Upper Perk Kiwanis Junior Legion team to win the Berks County League title on the road. The team enters this weekend's tournament as the likely No. 3 seed, behind the Boyertown Bear Cubs and Perkiomen Valley.

Upper Perk's Stephen Mumford dives safely into second base on Saturday, June 28, against Daniel Boone.  His  team snapped a two-game losing streak the following day.

            The pressure to perform in the tournament, which the Braves will begin at home on Sunday, has been ratcheted up. The winner of the eight-team, double-elimination tourney will qualify for the state tournament. According to Manager Pete Schramm, the winner of the league tournament will be declared the Region 2 champion since it's the only league in the region.

            The team expects to utilize some practice time to improve its fundamentals. According to Schramm, the inability to convert the routine play and too many walks cost Upper Perk a higher playoff seed.

            "We've got to figure it out," Schramm said Sunday afternoon following his team's 6-6 tie against non-league opponent Nether Providence. "With all the rain, we've only had two days to practice this season."

            The Braves (14-6-1) did not lose either of their last two games. They defeated Daniel Boone and played Nether Providence to a 6-6 tie.

            Ethan Robinson pitched them to a 9-3 victory over the Mavriks on Saturday, June 29. He permitted three runs on eight hits and only two walks while registering three strikeouts.

            Owen Travaglini worked a scoreless sixth and seventh innings. He did not issue a walk or allow a hit while striking out three.

            Grayson Sabo posted three hits and drove in three runs for the Braves, who led 5-0 after two innings at Bonekemper Field, and finished with 12 hits. Anthony Curcio and Corbin Engle each added two hits.
            Nathan Schramm scored two runs and had three of his team's seven steals. Callen Shantz also crossed the plate twice.

            Upper Perk rallied with two outs in the second inning to extend a 1-0 advantage. Grayson Sabo's three-run double to center field highlighted a four-run outburst. Stephen Mumford's single to right capped it.

            The following day, Nether Providence scored three runs in the final two innings to overcome a 6-3 deficit at Bonekemper Field. Five Braves pitchers issued four walks overall. They hit two batters during the fourth inning, both of whom scored on an infield error.
            Anthony Curcio accounted for two of Upper Perk's six hits. His two-out single in the first inning drove in two runs. Schantz's double extended its lead to 3-0.

            The team went ahead 4-0 in the third inning. Nathan Schramm chased home Noah Thoren with a single to left.

            In recent league losses to Perkiomen Valley and Fleetwood, the Braves averaged just under 10 walks. In a 9-8 loss to Post 625 on Monday, June 23, two pitchers issued 11 free passes. Defensive miscues led to eight unearned runs.

            "It feels like we're averaging between eight and nine walks this season," the manager said. "That's not very healthy."

            Heavy rains forced the postponement of Upper Perk final league game against West Lawn, originally scheduled for Tuesday. It will face the Owls at 6 p.m. today at Perkiomen School's Baker Field.