Things couldn’t have been much tougher for the Salisbury softball team to open its spring season.

The Lady Falcons started 2017 with games against one team that was off to a hot start and another that was last year’s league champion. Those games came on back-to-back days.

After falling short in those two games against Northern Lehigh (3-2) and Bangor (15-2), respectively, the Falcons have since righted the ship.

Over the last six days, Salisbury has won four consecutive games and outscored its opponents 48-1 in that stretch. Wins over Notre Dame-Green Pond (10-0), Saucon Valley (10-0), Dieruff (12-1) and Catasauqua (16-0) have cemented the Lady Falcons to 4-2 and among the elite squads in the league.

“Although we have a younger team, it was nice to show them the expectation and what we are competing for,” said senior pitcher Brooke Rogers of the team’s first two games. “We now know who we are up against. It goes back and forth with disadvantages and advantages playing two good teams off the bat, especially with not being able to practice outside a lot due to the snow and rain.”

The offense has certainly put up gaudy numbers as of late, including an 11-run first inning on Monday against Catasauqua that led to a shutout victory in three innings. Each of the past four games has ended in the mercy rule for the Lady Falcons.

In that rout of last year’s Colonial League runner-up Catasauqua, freshman Emily Silberman erupted with three home runs and six RBIs. Lil Crouthamel also rounded the bases against the Rough Riders in that first-inning scoring parade. It’s been that avalanche scoring effect that has done wonders for the blue and white as of late.

“The biggest difference is being able to trust the defense and getting our bats going,” Rogers said. “Once one person gets a hit, we all get a hit, which is great. We just all worked hard after the first two games to know what our weaknesses are at the plate, and start hitting the ball like we could.”

Crouthamel, a junior outfielder, knocked in three more runs against Dieruff in the second game of a double-header on Saturday. But while the offense has certainly held up its end of the bargain, the pitching and defense may be the biggest contributing factor to Salisbury’s turnaround.

Last year Rogers handled virtually all of the pitching responsibilities. This season Silberman has become the perfect option to pair alongside the experienced senior. The two have formed one of the most impressive pitching staffs in the Colonial League.

And they’ve been equally impressive thus far. Rogers pitched all three innings in the Catasauqua shutout and allowed just one hit. She also limited Dieruff to one run on Saturday. Silberman, meanwhile, has tallied 10 strikeouts in a win at Saucon Valley, and shut out Notre Dame-Green Pond last week with a one-hit performance.

“We have some starters returning and we have some girls having to step up in new positions,” Rogers said. “Our pitching is a solid combination. Myself and freshman pitcher Emily Silberman are working hard on the mound. We both are ready for whatever team is thrown at us.

“I am happy to have her on the team. It’s nice having another pitcher on the team. She’s doing great and I can’t wait to continue playing with her. She has a lot of potential this season, and I’m super excited to be a part of that.”

The upcoming week will be a big test, however, with Salisbury scheduled to host Northwestern on Wednesday with a chance to increase its lead in the division. Game time is set for 4 p.m. at Salisbury Middle School.

“This week is going to be tough,” Rogers said. “Both teams are going to be tough and we can’t take anything for granted. Salisbury has to come out right from the beginning once we touch the field. The challenging games are the best ones though. They are what we play for, for the plays and the hits.”