If a team hopes to be successful, limiting errors and mistakes is a key. It shouldn’t be a surprise that much of Salisbury’s slow start this legion season has to do with its miscues on the field.

When Salisbury faced Northern Valley over the weekend, a six errors led to several unearned runs in Northern Valley’s 13-8 victory over the Falcons.

That wasn’t the only instance of inconsistent defense through the early going of four games. Salisbury (0-4) committed two errors in each of its first two losses of the season against Southern Lehigh (12-6) and South Parkland (14-2). But if the Falcons want to reverse their current losing skid, solidifying that defense must be first on the agenda.

“Defensively we have to do a much better job,” Raap said. “We didn’t back up our pitchers enough. The pitchers gave up some hits and walks, but I think out of all their runs, half of them were unearned.”

A large chunk of those unearned runs came in the fourth inning when Northern Valley broke open a 3-3 tie and turned into an 11-3 lead. Three of those errors surfaced in that inning alone, and two infield errors in the final four at-bats capped Northern Valley’s eight-run inning.

“The problem is we’re not playing great defense,” Raap said.

The Falcons were able to respond nicely with their backs against the wall in the sixth inning with five runs. Connor Leighton led off the frame with a double to center field, and Ryan Miller walked in the next at-bat to place runners on first and second. Killian Mailander then scored Leighton with a single down the third baseline to get the scoring started.

Peter Forestieri singled and scored Miller in the next at-bat to make it 12-5. After Thomas Minutella and Tristan Ristmiller both reached base, Nino Encarnacion brought home Thomas to bring the Falcons within striking distance at 12-8.

But another Falcon error popped up in the top of the seventh, allowing Northern Valley to put the game away for good.

“We hit the ball well,” Raap said. “We’re probably averaging four to six runs a game, which I’m happy with that. We have to start playing better defense. Our pitchers are throwing a lot more pitches than they need to because of defensive lapses.”

Raap is hoping with time that not only the defense improves, but so does the team’s chemistry on the field. His team includes players from three different local high schools (Salisbury, Central Catholic and Dieruff) and juggling various lineups each game, it’s been tough to develop a rhythm on the field.

“I’m relying more on leadership through Salisbury kids in Eric Schware and Collin Wagner,” Raap said. “And then Tristan Rissmiller and Noah Adams. I rely a lot on them for a lot of guidance and leadership.”

Salisbury dropped Monday’s game against West Allentown, 9-4. Results from Tuesday’s game against North Parkland were not available at time of press.