For Whitehall, this was supposed to be a season of taking the next step.

The Zephyrs just missed the district playoffs last year, and had a varied cast back in the fold to move across the threshold. They proved their point early in the season when they won six of their first eight games, and were considered to be one of the surprises in the East Penn Conference (EPC).

Instead, it has been more of a survival of the injury free.

Whitehall has been decimated by injuries in the second half of the season, primarily to its pitching staff that has seen its number one starter and top reliever become sidelined. Their top reliever should be back out of concussion protocol shortly.

Yet, Whitehall will be in the District 11 Class 5A playoffs. Their 9-7 win over Allen April 25 clinched a spot, and they began the week with an overall 9-7 record.

“We really have been hit hard with injuries,” said second-year head coach Eric Schmitt. “Our pitching staff has really taken a hit.

“This has easily been our worst stretch of this season.”

Through 17 games, Owen Ness led the team with a .380 average as well as with hits (19), and runs (13). Dylan Koury was hitting .375, and he had 17 as well as team highs in home runs (2) and RBIs (15).

Matt Rader was hitting .375 with 15 hits and 14 RBIs.

On the mound, Dylan Carfara was 3-0 with a 0.58 ERA and 14 strikeouts; followed by Evan Kovalchik (2-2, 5.00, 37); Tyler Mastropieri (2-4, 5>49, 23); Rader (2-0, 5.73, 26); and Aurelias Haddad (0-1, 2.92, 17).

Schmitt is positive his team can overcome their obstacles for the postseason. The Zephyrs will be back to the district playoffs for the first time since 2017 when they were the third seed and lost to second-seed Southern Lehigh, 3-1, in the opening round.

“We’re trying our best to be positive,” said Schmitt. “We want to right the ship before the postseason.”