More than two-thirds of the way through the season, Upper Perkiomen's softball team finally posted its first Pioneer Athletic Conference victory. The team's shift to the division with the bigger schools has been more challenging than initially anticipated, according to head coach Dean Sullivan.

Eva McCormick, Upper Perkiomen's first baseman, cat- ches a throw on a ground ball last week against Pottstown.

            "It's been a rough go," he said.

            The Indians lost their first nine games before earning a win last week against a familiar opponent. Jocelyn Sledgen tossed five shutout innings in a 10-0 win over Pottstown on Wednesday, April 16. She allowed four hits and struck out six.

            The Tribe has struggled to compete against five Liberty Division opponents this season. The team has been outscored 63-13.

            "I thought we'd be more competitive," Sullivan said. "It's been a struggle."

            According to the coach, his team has had problems contending against power pitchers from Perkiomen Valley, Owen J. Roberts and Boyertown. Most of those teams utilize hurlers of Division I or Division II college caliber.

            Sullivan also said his team lacks the number of power bats those other teams have. He described a three-inning loss to the Vikings on April 9, which lasted 56 minutes, as the low point.

            "It's been a struggle," the coach said. "You can give up 12 to 14 runs in the blink of an eye. Sometimes you can ...