Lindsay’s four hits, six RBI help propel Upper Perkiomen past Phoenixville

PHOENIXVILLE >> Offense hasn’t been hard to come by for Upper Perkiomen.

The Indians’ Pioneer Athletic Conference opener on Monday wasn’t any different.

Freshman Morgan Lindsay pounded four hits and drove in six runs while sister Taylor Lindsay and Sarah Heidler each added three hits as Upper Perkiomen used a four-run seventh inning to down Phoenixville, 10-5.

It was the second time in three games the Indians (1-0 PAC, 3-0 overall) have scored 10 or more runs. Last season, Upper Perkiomen only accomplished the feat three times.

“It’s a good start so far and it’s (our offense) been better than it has been in the past so we’re excited.” Taylor Lindsay said. 

Morgan Lindsay’s day was a big reason for it. The freshman catcher finished 4-for-4 from the plate, knocking in a pair of runs in the first inning with a deep blast to left for a double that was followed with a two-run single up the middle in the third and another two-run single in a critical four-run seventh.

The past two games Morgan is 7-for-7 with seven RBI.

“It feels good,” Morgan said referencing her hot start. “I feel like I’m contributing and carrying my weight.”

“Yeah, you are,” her sister Taylor quickly affirmed.

Taylor Lindsay finished 3-for-4 from the plate and was effective in relief of starting pitcher Emily Moll. Lindsay went three innings, allowing four hits and two earned while striking out one. She worked two innings in order (fifth and seventh) and got out of a jam in the sixth, inducing a groundout to second to end the inning with the tying run in scoring position.

Phoenixville’s Emily Buckwalter led the Phantoms (1-1, 0-1) with a 3-for-3 effort from the dish, her inside-the-park home run in the first and RBI double in the third keeping the Phantoms within one through three. Down 6-3 in the bottom of the sixth, Buckwalter’s single kick-started a two-run inning as took a Lindsay offering up the middle. Susan Duncan then singled before Jess Eldridge (7 IP, six strikeouts) laced a rocket to deep left for a two-run triple to bring it to 6-5 entering the seventh.

“(Emily) Buckwalter had an amazing hit and some good catches at the plate,” Phoenixville first year head coach Grace Henderson said. “We played well all around, it was just one inning that got us.”

From there, it was all UP. Moll started the inning off reaching second on an error before Heidler (three runs) ripped a single up the middle to score her to make it 7-5. Karlee Fretz then singled to put runners on first and second before Taylor Lindsay crushed an offering over the left-fielder’s head to make it 8-5. Her sister capped the four-run inning the next at-bat with a sharply-hit single.

“I believe that our defense was very, very good,” Henderson said. “We played outstanding defense. Balls were hit and they were hit into the pockets. Otherwise I thought we played phenomenal as a team for the first league game.”

Sister Rivalry

The pitcher-catcher duo of the Lindsay sisters has already sparked a friendly rivalry in the early spring.

“Yeah, there’s definitely one there,” Taylor said. “Who has the best average, who has the most runs?”

Morgan, after each stat category was quick to answer: “Me.”

“Yeah, she thinks she’s better,” Taylor said.

Newcomer to the PAC

Grace Henderson enters her first season at the helm after working her way up the coaching ladder in the Phantom program. A 1992 Phoenixville graduate, Henderson has coached middle school and jayvee (last season) before replacing Jennie Anderson this year.
“I love it here,” Henderson said. I worked my way up the ladder the last four years. I’m hoping to do well here.”