With an experienced roster, Upper Perkiomen's baseball team enters the season with lofty expectations. Head coach Bobby Saeger expects the team to compete for the Frontier Division title and qualify for the Pioneer Athletic Conference playoffs for the first time in program history.

            "This is a deep group," said Saeger, in his third season. "They are very

Ethan Robinson fields a ground ball while Benjamin Sands,  Zane Saeger, and Topher Burns wait for their turn.

dedicated."

            The Indians lost only three players to graduation from the team that went 13-9 and posted a victory over division rival Upper Merion in the District One Class 5A playoffs. The coach described the players as unified and their competition as "extremely healthy."

            According to the coach, expectations are high because the Tribe is returning seven seniors and nine juniors. That depth could leave limited playing time for 10th graders, Saeger said.

            "That experience is the reason I think we can achieve some of our goals," the coach said.

            The roster includes several former members of the Upper Perk Youth League Braves, which captured a state Legion title three years ago. According to Saeger, that success could translate to high school, in part, because of their regular participation in an annual weight-lifting program.

            "Our guys aren't little anymore," he said, adding that junior Lincoln Fijalkowski added 30 pounds. "Several of them needed bigger jerseys when we handed out uniforms."

            The lineup will feature several familiar faces. Catcher Brody Weiss, who missed all last season with an injury, is back for his senior season.

            The designated hitter spot could be the only one in flux. Competition for at-bats will likely include juniors Stephen Mumford, Lincoln Fijalkowski, Ethan Robinson and Cole Graf as well as Ryan Cairns, a sophomore, who started every game behind the plate last season.

            Earning regular at-bats will require more than just having success at the plate, according to the coach. He said becoming the regular DH will mean being productive within the system.

            The coach described the team's top four pitchers -- Ben Godshall, Grayson Sabo, Jack Rieg and Fijalkowski -- as high-end arms. Topher Burns and Jonathan Lewis should receive significant innings, according to Saeger.

            "The top four guys throw strikes; they are very effective," said the coach, who expressed trust in pitching coach Dave Pierce to develop an effective plan. "When they hit their spots, they can be extremely effective."

             The infield will feature four experienced returners. Senior shortstop Zane Saeger, recovering from a knee injury suffered during the wrestling season, might only miss a few weeks, according to the coach.

            Three experienced juniors make up the rest of the infield. Bobby Saeger described the quartet -- including Benjamin Sands, Jack Rieg and Grayson Sabo – as high-quality fielders.

            Jordan Dice, Godshall and junior Nathan Schramm are the established starting outfielders. Graf and Mumford could also see time there.

            "This is such a fun group to be around," said Bobby Saeger, whose team is scheduled to open its season Friday at Brandywine Heights. "They bust their asses. Their mantra is to get one percent better every day."