Last season, Whitehall head coach first-year head coach Jeff Vivian recalled a time in the season that was a difference maker the rest of the way.

It was in the midst of a two-game losing streak that would stretch to three to end the regular season.

“It was the North Pocono game,” noted Vivian. “We had our heads handed to us (a 7-3 loss). There was a lot of stuff going on, and I lost my cool. We saw everyone’s intentions and where some people were headed.

“We really came together as a team, and everything began to click. We knew we could reach another level.”

The Zephyrs did lose to Emmaus (4-3) in a East Penn Conference (EPC) quarterfinal round game, but they rallied for victories in the Class 6A district playoffs with win over Stroudsburg (9-6) and Parkland (9-1) before they lost to Northampton (10-0) in the district final. It was the third consecutive defeat in the championship game for the Zephyrs.

From there, Whitehall met District 1 and state power North Penn in the opening round of the state tournament, and they suffered a 5-0 defeat to end their season with a 16-9 record.

“For the seniors, North Penn was their exit,” noticed Vivian. “But it left a sour taste in the mouths of everyone else.”

Before the conference play began Tuesday against Allentown Central Catholic, the Zephyrs played a series of games in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for the second consecutive season.

They had successful scrimmages and also opened their season with a 12-6 victory over Berks Catholic March 18.

“We were very happy with the scrimmages, and we managed to blow it open against Berks Catholic,” said Vivian. “We’re just focusing on small goals now like winning innings and winning at-bats. We’re not talking about winning the league or winning districts. Those goals are down the road.”

So far, Vivian likes what he has seen from a large contingent returning this spring.

“Everyone is embracing their roles,” he stressed. “It is a selfless bunch of girls. We’re excited and ready to start league play.”

Senior Cassy Aquino will be back on the mound. Junior Kate Yadush, an all-state selection at third base, is back to lead a core of returnees Emma Bonshak, Jessica Spanitz, Hannah Bundra, and Aubrey Steiner.

“We have two sophomores and a senior fighting for time as corner outfielders,” said Vivian. “We have a very good middle infield, and we like our lineup.”

One of the more important aspects of the early going has been team bonding. The Zephyrs have worked on spending some quality time together.

“We took the JV team down to Myrtle Beach,” said Vivian. “We want to build a team and a program. We’re working to build a team on and off the field. We had a trivia night, and a night where we went shopping.

“We’ll be ready when league play begins this week.”