By: Joe Cicchino - Sports Information Assistant

FORT WASHINGTON -- Rain and sloppy conditions have led to a series of cancellations for Germantown Academy's baseball team. The group has not played a game since May 15, and that did not officially count since it had to be called after four innings because of the weather. Now the Patriots must prepare for Perkiomen School in the first round of the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association Tournament on May 23.

Perkiomen is usually a strong team, according to GA Head Coach Tim Ginter. Traditionally they are a top-four seed in the tournament. However, this year the Panthers are seeded seventh.

"This is low for them," Ginter said. "At the same time, they're usually a quality team. We played them two years ago. They'll at least have one pitcher thats a league plus arm, but so do we. We expect it to be a close game."

The last time the two teams met -- in Ginter's first season as coach -- the matchup was a pitching dominant affair. The Panthers came away with a 2-1 win on a play at the plate. 

Ginter believes that this contest will be similar, with the main matchup being  between the battle between pitchers. Colten Smith '19 has been Germantown Academy's ace this year and will be on the mound against Perkiomen. 

"If they're not getting hits, they'll transition into a smaller brand of ball," Ginter said. "They'll look to get guys on, run and bunt -- the same things we're trying to do."

A low scoring, close game is nothing new to the Patriots. During the regular season, the Patriots had 10 games decided by three or less runs. The results of those games were not all positive, but the experience should help them.

"I love this team," Ginter siad. "They fight. They're tough. I expect a really good effort out of them because we've played those close games. I'd like to think that we've learned a little bit from those losses and if we run into a game like that, that we'll be ready for that and won't make the same mistakes."

On the day of their game with Perkiomen, it will have been 12 days since the Patriots played their last full game. Ending the season with a streak of four cancelled contests is no way to enter playoffs, but Ginter does not see it having too much of an effect on the team.

"We try not to let that stuff creep in," Ginter said. "It's beyond frustrating. We've been really conscious of not making excuses for things. The weather is the weather; unless you have a turf field, everyone's in the same boat. We at least have the luxury of having the field house."

Ginter also said that the team was able to get out onto the turf field since their normal playing field was so saturated. Although the outfield dimensions do not work for the team, they were able to work on timing-based plays. 

That extra work should help the team, as they are using a different lineup than the one they have used for most of the season. Injuries have hit GA, but they seem to be prepared no matter who is on the field.

"We've made a couple of adjustments," Ginter said. We've worked on some different things. With the shift in the lineup, we do have to focus more on seeing pitches, taking the walk and being smarter when we look to run. We don't have to do anything above and beyond, and that's a credit to them. We've just got to give ourselves the opportunity to be successful."

GA will travel to Perkiomen for the first round of the PAISAA Tournament. The winner of that game will then play Mercersburg Academy on May 24.