Last year, the Falcons were expected to be one of the area's premier baseball teams.

And they were, flexing a 25-2 record (15-1 in conference) en route to Colonial League and District 11 Class AA championships, while finishing as one of the final four teams in the state.

This year, the expectations may not be as high. But for Salisbury head coach Mike Pochron and his squad, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

"There is ability there and promise that we could get back to be playing for the league title," Pochron said. "Last year everybody picked us and thought we were above everybody. That's no longer the situation, but we certainly have enough talent. If we work hard and come together, we can be there at the end of the year certainly.

"Last year we didn't surprise anybody. Maybe this year we surprise a few people."

The Falcons graduated a number of seniors from last season's dominant team, including Colonial League Most Valuable Player Nic Ampietro. Ampietro, as well as graduate Tyler Cooperman, were two of the squad's (and arguably league's) best pitchers all season. Both were Colonial League First Team All-Stars who provided plenty of defensive support in the infield as well.

The Falcons also graduated three other starters, including first baseman Ryan Utsch, outfielder Zach Seitz and outfielder Mason Kresley (a Second-Team All-Star), leaving just three seniors on this year's team.

But while a number of pieces will need to be replaced, the Falcons will have some experienced players returning to the lineup. Pochron knows that solidifying the defense will be of key importance.

"The big thing we've got to shore up is our defense," Pochron said. "We have question marks there. Those are the five guys we have to replace because a lot of that has to do with defense."

Leading the charge is senior pitcher/infielder Justin Aungst, who was a Colonial League First Team All-Star in 2013. He went 9-1 for the Falcons last year with a 1.86 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 40 innings pitched. He'll be relied on heavily this year with the other two aces from last season now gone.

"He's been a big part of our team now for four years," Pochron said. "He's a quiet leader. He doesn't say a lot. The way he handles himself, goes about his business, practices and plays, that's how he's a big leader on the team. He sets a great example."

Aungst was just as impressive at the plate, hitting .478 on the season with 27 runs scored and 34 RBIs.

Senior outfielder Brad Vangeli was another Colonial League First Team All-Star in 2013, hitting .439 with 30 runs scored and 18 RBIs. Junior catcher Charley Rogers was also an All-Star after hitting .373 with 11 runs and 16 RBIs.

"I think we have enough guys that I think we're going to produce some runs," Pochron said. "That's going to be our main strength."

Along with Aungst, Pochron expects junior Evan Kulig to take on a much bigger role on the mound. Vangeli and sophomore Chad Cooperman will also see time at pitcher.

"We're going to be relying heavily on Evan [Kulig] to give us innings on the mound now," Pochron said. "He has to come up big and provide us with the innings that we're losing with Ampietro and Cooperman being gone."

Adam Ebner rounds out the Falcons' senior class, and Pochron expects a number of underclassmen to crack the lineup.

"We have a chance that we might be starting three or four sophomores," Pochron said. "We will have quite a few newcomers, a couple of sophomores and a couple of juniors."

The Falcons are scheduled to get their season under way Wednesday at Palisades. Game time is set for 4 p.m. They've already had games postponed against Bethlehem Catholic and Dieruff.