The Salisbury High School baseball team was ready. The Falcons were ready to begin a new era and were excited to see what lied ahead.

Salisbury alum Justin Aungst was about to begin his first season in charge of the Falcons baseball team this year. The former All-Colonial League and Division I pitcher took the helm after his old coach and longtime Falcon head man Mike Pochron resigned after last season after 20 years as head coach and 40 years with the program.

After his playing career at Saint Joseph’s University ended in 2018, Aungst was an assistant under Pochron on the varsity team. He was able to gain first-hand knowledge before taking over the program.

Unfortunately for Aungst, along with the current Falcons and every other spring student-athlete, COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the 2020 season. Even though he was unable to experience his first full season at the helm, Aungst and his program still were able to go through an acclimation period in getting to know goals and expectations and share some team bonding.

“Even though the season didn’t happen, we still had some great times together during our offseason workouts,” said Aungst. “Next year is going to be a lot different as we lose so many seniors from this year. I’d like to thank all of our 2020 seniors for all of their hard work they put in and the great memories we made the first couple seasons I’ve been here.”

The large senior class this year include Jacob Younes, Josh Negron, Jonel Resto, Hayden Kuhns, Colin Weiss, Alex Suter, Matthew Haas, Zach Arner, Donovan Zong and Jackson Harford. It is a group that will always remember their senior year, but one that Aungst will also share a special bond with.

“I feel so bad for these guys,” Aungst said. “They were determined and worked so hard in the offseason to have their best year in their last year. But unfortunately that was taken away. I am thankful for everything they did for the program and wish them the best moving forward.”

Salisbury has had a winning experience over the course of the last decade, and now continues to keep that rolling under a new regime.

“The guys work hard and want to win,” said Aungst. “A lot of the upperclassmen that have been around the program know the mentality and know what we expect out of them. They know the goals are to win league and district championships. It’s what has been done before them and it’s being passed down to them.”

Even in just a couple of months at the helm, Aungst has enjoyed the time around his new players.

“Being young and just coming out of my playing career, I feel as if I am able to connect well with the kids and get the most out of them both on and off the field,” Aungst said. “We will now have another offseason together and will be ready to go next season.”