Pioneer Athletic Conference Softball Final Four Preview

ROYERSFORD >> They’ve matched up in the past two Pioneer Athletic Conference title games.

Now, Spring-Ford and Perkiomen Valley square off again, this time for the right to vie for their second PAC title in three seasons.

Both are looking as strong as ever.

The Rams, the reigning PAC champions, enter the playoffs as the league’s No. 1 overall seed, boasting a 15-1 record and two come-from-behind wins over last year’s league runner-up. The torrid start can be attributed to the bats of Megan Kern and Maggie McConney along with stellar defense and strong pitching in the circle from sophomore Sam Lindsay. The Rams come into the game the No. 1 ranked team in runs against (22) with Lindsay boasting the area’s best ERA (0.69 in 81-1/3 innings pitched). Rams are also the No. 1 team in the latest District 1 Class 6A Power Rankings. 

They go up against a Perkiomen Valley squad that has won the past five games after falling to Spring-Ford for the second time this season on May 1. The pitching of Abby Wild — electric since she took over in the early innings of last year’s PAC final — has led the Vikings to a 16-4 overall record. She leads the league in innings pitched (110.1) and is far and away the league leader in strikeouts (176).

In the nightcap, Owen J. Roberts, winners of seven of its last eight games, faces Upper Perkiomen at 7 p.m. The Wildcats are led by the bats of Casey Walker, Brianna Smith (23 hits, .426 batting average) and Camryn Glenn (24 hits, 18 RBI). The Indians, winners of the Frontier Division, enter as the No. 2 seed and are led by the bats of freshman Morgan Lindsay (league-best .656 average) and sister Taylor Lindsay (.500 average, 24 RBI). Their 176 runs scored are an area best.

No. 4 Perkiomen Valley vs. No. 1 Spring-Ford

Tuesday at Spring-Ford’s Ram Park, 4 p.m.

Records: Perkiomen Valley 12-4 PAC, 16-4 overall; Spring-Ford 15-1 PAC, 15-1 overall.

Head-to-Head/Last Meeting: Spring-Ford 2-0. Rams defeated Perkiomen Valley 4-3 on May 1.

Vikings Facts/Figures: Senior pitcher Abby Wild passed Tori Marcavage’s team record for most strikeouts in a season. She now sits at 176 strikeouts on the year. … Wild and Gillian Barrie lead the team in batting average (Barrie .388; Wild .345). … Vikings have shut out their last five opponents, including then-District 1 No. 1 Coatesville, 9-0, on May 2.

Rams Facts/Figures: Sophomore Sam Lindsay and a reliable defense have led the Rams all year long. Megan Kern is second in the league in runs scored (24) and is second in the league in batting average. … Rams have overcome two straight late-inning deficits to down Perkiomen Valley this season, first coming back from a 1-0 deficit in the seventh to win 5-1 in extras in early April before Lindsay and the Rams walked off May 1.

Outlook: Rams have been a thorn in the side of Perkiomen Valley, winning four in a row since last season. Pitching is strong on both teams so whoever gets the timely hit will win. Lately, it’s been the Rams doing so. Spring-Ford 3, Perkiomen Valley 2.

No. 3 Owen J. Roberts vs. No. 2 Upper Perkiomen

Tuesday at Spring-Ford’s Ram Park, 7 p.m. (or 30 minutes following PV and Spring-Ford)

Records: Owen J. Roberts 12-4 PAC, 14-6 overall; Upper Perkiomen 14-2 PAC, 18-2 overall.

Head-to-Head/Last Meeting: Upper Perkiomen 1-0. Indians defeated Owen J. Roberts 14-3 on April 7.

Wildcats Facts/Figures: Wildcats come in hot, winning seven of their last eight, including a 9-7 win over Boyertown which helped propel them into the playoffs. … Wildcats have outscored opposition 66-17 since falling 15-5 to Exeter in a non-league matchup in the middle of April. … Casey Walker leads the team with a .556 average in 54 at-bats. … Wildcats defense struggles at times so magnifying glass will be on them and the ability for pitcher Brittney Dellaquila to work quick, efficient innings.

Indians Facts/Figures: Indians’ Lindsay sisters have been the story of the year in the PAC as the duo has been strong on both offense and defense. They bring the most punch to a lineup that has torn apart opposing pitching this season. … Morgan Lindsay went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a home run in the Indians’ win over the Wildcats earlier this season. Sarah Heidler and Karlee Fretz also add punch to the lineup along with Alyssa Sullivan, all who are batting plus-.400.

Outlook: If Upper Perkiomen’s bats get going, watch out. This team is incredibly tough to keep up with if you’re matching hit for hit. Upper Perkiomen 6, Owen J. Roberts 3.