This week, Northampton’s NORCO Legion team played the waiting game.

The Konkrete Kids (12-3-) were the regular-season league champs, and they likely awaited the winner of the Kemp Post (9-4-1) and East Stroudsburg (5-7) either Thursday or Friday. If the second-seeded Wanders (9-1) were upset, Northampton would open against Palmer Township (7-5).

Northampton also accomplished its task with 16 games over 24 days due to their late start June 6.

“We had a number of kids who were involved with district playoffs,” said manager Steve Kerbacher, who began his second full season at the helm and third overall with COVID shortening the 2020 season. “A lot of teams were in the same situation.

“But it is a credit to our kids to pull this together. They really went out there and got the job done.”

Last season, Northampton lost to the Wanderers in the championship final, and they advanced to the semifinals of the Region 2 state tournament.

Kerbacher anticipates his team can make a similar run.

“We have depth,” he said. “But anyone can win the playoffs. Everyone had good pitching, and it will be interesting to see how it turns out.

“We like the state of our pitching.”

Kerbacher noted his squad had been paced by Hunter Corrow and Evan Hughes. Ryan Kovatch, a 2021 high school grad, has added to the frontline staff.

“Those two were the top two pitchers for the high school team,” added Kerbacher. “We know what they can do. Kovatch has been a good addition, and he’s back in shape.”

Northampton’s starting staff also has been bolstered by Matt Merced, Owen Laury, Logan Eberly, and Dylan Fosko.

“Merced threw a gem against Birches in a 2-0 shutout win,” said Kerbacher. “We think we have a deep enough staff to compete with anybody. It’s good we are deep because we won’t have too many days off from here.”

Offensively, Northampton has been paced by catcher Eli Angstadt, shortstop Mike Melosky, and center fielder and cleanup hitter Logan Wolfe.

Yet, Kerbacher sees plenty of steadiness.

“We don’t have one guy tearing it up,” he stated. “We have enough balance through the lineup. We have had timely hits, and our guys have been consistent. I like to use 10 in the lineup.”

Kerbacher also has seen another transition in his offense.

“One big adaptation has been the use of wooden bats,” said Kerbacher. “The Legion still uses wooden bats. You see some guys struggling with that initially. But we’re no different from anyone else.”

Kerbacher is optimistic that his team can make a deep postseason run.

“I like the makeup of this club,” he said. “The playoffs will be difficult, but we have the ability to do well over the next few weeks.”