A seventh-inning rally by Upper Perkiomen last week earned the players free water ice. It also pushed the team one step closer to the Pioneer Athletic Conference playoffs.
 

Ryan Cairns, right, prepares to tag a Spring-Ford baserunner  during a first-inning rundown last week.  Upper Perkiomen  rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to post a 4-3 win on April 24.

            The Indians scored four runs in their final at-bat to defeat Spring-Ford. An error on a wind-blown fly ball to center field allowed them to post a 4-3 victory on Friday, April 24.
            Brody Weiss' fly ball to center field with two outs and two runners on base capped a four-run outburst at Bonekemper Field. The play triggered a celebration by the Tribe (12-3 overall, 10-3 PAC), which has won five straight conference games.
            The team, which vaulted into the No. 3 spot in the District One Class 5A power rankings, overcame three errors and a shaky outing by starter Grayson Sabo to capture consecutive victories over Liberty Division opponents and secure its first victory in the series since at least 2012. The Tribe has a clear path to capturing the Frontier Division title and qualifying for conference postseason play for the first time in program history.
            According to head coach Bobby Saeger, the players never panicked despite trailing 3-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh after squandering numerous scoring chances. He said they relied on the calmness developed over several summers competing for Jr. Legion state titles to deliver the most significant victory during his three-year tenure.
            "These guys have displayed the ability to stay calm," Saeger said. "They play with a tremendous sense of pride. And they're having fun."
            The Indians earned their second trip of the season for water ice after posting an undefeated week. Saeger described it as an homage to going for ice cream after playing a game as a child.
            Swirling winds appeared to impact the flight of Weiss' fly ball with two outs. The ball deflected off the glove of Aidan Dunleavy, allowing Logan Fijalkowski and Sabo to race home.
            Upper Perk took advantage of three hits, one walk and a Spring-Ford error to rally against reliever Dan Rutkowski. Fijalkowski drove in the first run on a ground ball. Ben Godshall then came home on a misplayed grounder off the bat of Sabo.
            Jack Rieg earned the mound victory by tossing the final two innings. He scattered two hits and struck out one.
            Rieg relieved Godshall, who allowed two runs during the fifth inning. Consecutive hits by Cooper Fanaro and Cooper Nelson staked Spring-Ford to a 3-0 lead.

            The Rams scored a run in the top of the first inning without a hit. Starting pitcher Grayson Sabo issued four walks. He exited after walking six in two innings and permitting two hits.

            "This was Grayson's first outing of the season where he wasn't totally sharp," Saeger said. "He appeared to be fighting his emotions."

            Three days later, the visiting Tribe needed only three innings to defeat Norristown. Rieg led the team to a 25-4 victory.

            Rieg, a junior, registered four hits and drove in four runs. He delivered an RBI double in the second inning and had a two-run double and an RBI hit during the third inning.

            Zane Seager delivered a home run and scored three runs. Jake Creneti drove in four runs on two hits and scored twice off the bench for the Indians. Ben Sands registered two hits and scored twice.

            Fijalkowski added two hits and drove in two runs for the team that finished with 17 hits, scored 10 runs in the second and 15 in the third. He tossed the initial two shutout innings.