From 2011 to 2013, the Salisbury baseball team captured two District 11 Class AA championships and two Colonial League crowns.

Last year, however, was a different story for the Falcons.

After winning at least one playoff game in each season of that three-year stretch from 2011–2013, the Falcons failed to secure a postseason win last season. They failed to qualify for the league tournament for the first time since 2010 and lost their opening-round game of districts a year ago.

But 2015 is a new year, and the Falcons (13-8 overall, 10-6 in Colonial League in 2014) are hoping to get back to that prestigious level once the season gets underway this week.

"Our goals are to qualify for the league playoffs, along with the district playoffs," said head coach Mike Pochron, who enters his 16th season at Salisbury. "The team is anxious to get started. We just need a break in the weather."

Senior shortstop Evan Kulig, a returning Colonial League first team all-star, is back after batting .476 with 23 RBIs a season ago. He also figures to be one of the Falcons' main weapons on the mound after going 2-3 last season. In 33 innings pitched, Kulig finished with a 1.91 ERA and 27 strikeouts.

Catcher Charley Rogers (.359 batting average with 11 RBIs and two homeruns), outfielder Mike Palmer (.368 batting average) and Carlos Santiago (.333 batting average) round out a talented returning senior class for the Falcons. Rogers was a Colonial League Honorable Mention selection in 2014.

"The strength of the team should be the experience of the returnees," Pochron said. "Kulig and Rogers have been on the varsity team since they were freshmen. And Kulig and [junior Chad] Cooperman supply experience on the mound.

Cooperman, a league honorable mention selection as well a year ago, returns as a vital part of both Salisbury's pitching staff and batting order. A year ago, Cooperman went 4-2 on the mound with 37 strikeouts. He was one of the top hitters with a .418 batting average.

Cooperman, along with Kulig, will be key in replacing Justin Aungst's production on the mound. Aungst, who is now playing at Saint Joseph's University, was a four-year starter at Salisbury and a league first-team selection a year ago who went 4-2 with a 3.11 ERA. Brad Vangeli also started four years with a 3-1 record and 1.36 ERA a season ago. Aungst (.356 batting average) and Vangeli (.476 batting average) were also two of Salisbury's top hitters. Outfielder Adam Ebner also graduated.

It could be a tough task to replace the production those three seniors gave a year ago, but coming up with timely hits will go a long way in helping.

"[We need to] cut down on strikeouts and hit with runners in scoring position," Pochron said. " We left a lot of runners on base last year."

Seniors Justin Besz, Chad Tocci and Chris Bishop, along with junior Nick Sikora, figure to be integral parts of the team this season.

Monday's game against Pen Argyl was postponed due to the weather. The Falcons are scheduled to open the season on Wednesday at Catasauqua at 4 p.m.