The disappointment in having the 2020 season scrapped is obvious for Salisbury High School softball coach Jeff Appleman. But the Falcon coach understands being between a rock and a hard place.

“They are doing what they have to do,” Appleman said. “They canceled high school, college and professional seasons. It stinks. I feel bad for our team and especially our senior.”

The senior - the talented Emily Silberman - was only four hits shy of reaching 100 hits for her Falcon career. Silberman, a first-team all-star during the 2019 campaign, was one of the top pitchers in the Colonial League in which she kicked and fired to 11 wins on the hill. She also wielded a potent stick, hitting .403 with five home runs and 33 RBIs.

“I thought Emily could have really dominated the Colonial League this season,” Appleman said.

While her Falcon career is over, Silberman will take it to another level next spring at Moravian College.

Last year she was an integral component when Salisbury, after a mediocre, sub-.500 regular season, came alive and made an outstanding post-season run that concluded as the District 11 Class 3A runner up.

When asked his thoughts about what a 2020 season could have held for his Falcons, Appleman paused.

“That’s a good question,” he said. “To be honest, I’m not really sure. We would have had a young, inexperienced team. The potential was there. I think we could have competed.”

Emily Silberman would have labored on the diamond with her sister Marcie (the team’s catcher) and cousin Haylee, who would have been one of 10 underclassmen (five freshman and five sophomores). Appleman also was looking for Sami Peffer to contribute to the cause.

One of the rewards Appleman has is seeing the progression of his squad during the year. Most Falcons play other sports or are involved in other activities.

Softball is not a year-round pursuit for most of his players, but when the girls come together with the gloves and bats each spring, they are all business.

“We have smart, coachable players,” he said. “They want to do well.”