For Whitehall’s baseball team, the postseason can provide a welcomed relief and a fresh start.

Whitehall began the season with a 6-2 mark, and expectations were high after they returned a host of players from last year’s 8-11 mark. They also had a solid experience in Myrtle Beach, where they gained some valuable experience.

Since then, however, their rising expectations burst.

The Zephyrs ended the season dropping seven of their last nine games, and finishing with an overall 10-10 record. Injuries – notably the pitching staff - played a big part in their struggles.

Whitehall will be the fourth seed in the District 11 Class 5A playoffs.

“It was a very tough end to our season,” deadpanned head coach Eric Schmitt. “We had a really good feeling about the team before the season. We played really well in Myrtle Beach, and got off to a good start.

“But injuries hit us hard. Still, we won our last game of the regular season, as we feel that we can compete with anybody.”

In the regular season, Owen Ness led the Zephyrs with a .367 batting average. Ness also had a team-high 22 hits and 15 runs.

Matt Rader hit. 347, and Dylan Koury was at .333 to round out the team’s top three hitters. Koury also had a team-high two home runs and 15 RBIs. Rader had 14 RBIs, and Ness added 13. Seth Hoderewski had a team-high five stolen bases.

On the mound, Evan Kovalchik was 2-2 with a 5.00 ERA and a team-high 37 strikeouts in 21 innings, Tyler Mastropieri was 3-4 with a 5.25 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 32 innings, and Dylan Carfara has a 3-1 mark with a 3.50 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 14 innings.

With some time off before district play begins, Schmitt is optimistic his club can work to become healthier and also try to regain their previous strong stance.

“We will use the extra time to get healthy and as sharp as we can be,” he stressed. “We are still confident that we can make some noise ahead.”