It was a magical ride to the state finals for Liberty’s baseball team last season, so what encore do the Hurricanes have in store this spring?

Coming off a 26-3 campaign, which saw their season end to Warwick in 6-4 state championship loss, the defending District 11 champions bring back a loaded roster with the hopes of getting back to Penn State this spring to get another crack at bringing home the ultimate PIAA crown.

“After coming off of a season where we won the district championship and made it to the state final, expectations are high,” said head coach Andy Pitsilos, who enters his 20th season. “The team is returning all but four players from last year. We have a deep pitching staff and a lot of experience. The returning players have gotten stronger and faster and need to play baseball the same way they did last year to be successful.”

Back for the Hurricanes this year include Reece D’Amico (Sr., C); Noah Gyauch-Quirk (Jr., P/IF/OF); JC Spinosa (Sr., SS); Bray Gonzalez (Jr., CF); Ayden Zabala (Sr., RF); Tommy Mason (Sr., LF); Tate George (Sr., 2B); Caden Brozino (Sr., 3B/P); John Galgon (Sr., P/1B); Jacob Rivera (Jr., P/1B); Aaron Clark (Sr., UTIL); Delvin Gonzalez (Sr., 1B) and Evan Applegate (Sr., P/OF).

Newcomers are Juan Cruz (Jr., P/OF); Luke Piripavel (Jr., P/1B); Paul Erfle (Jr., 3B/P); Justin Goire (Jr., 3B/OF); Franklin Paulino (So., C/P/IF) and Jack Evans (Jr., 2B/SS).

“Disciplined hitting, fundamental fielding and hitting spot pitching will need to be the recipe again for their success,” said Pitsilos. “The team will need the same type of leadership from their seniors in particular Reece D’Amico and JC Spinosa. If all that can be achieved, we might make a run at another district championship and beyond.”

Nazareth, Easton, Parkland, Emmaus, Northampton and Whitehall figure to be in the mix to chase the league and district crown, but the Hurricanes appear to be favorites.

“The team goals never change,” Pitsilos said. “We want to win the division, then the league, then the district and compete in states.”