This is the time of year that coaches want to see their teams ramping up their play and it’s no surprise that Liberty is solidifying themselves as a contender down the stretch.

The Hurricanes (8-4) were winners five straight games to push themselves to the top of the East Penn Conference entering the week, but saw that streak snapped following Monday’s 1-0 loss to Bethlehem Catholic.

Having a bad day at the office can happen to anyone, but it’s been typical form for the program to be in the upper tier of teams and head coach Andy Pitsilos thinks his team is starting to figure out what it takes to win on a consistent basis.

“Well, we are finding out how this team must play to be successful,” Pitsilos said. “We have found who can handle what we expect to be successful. I am looking for us to finish strong and enter the playoffs on a roll clicking on all cylinders.”

The ‘Canes schedule this week continues with a block of games against Allentown foes Dieruff and Allen, before closing out the week Saturday against Muhlenberg. One league win clinches an expected district spot for Liberty, but keeping pole position in the EPC standings is another carrot the Hurricanes are aiming to cement.

Bethlehem Catholic (8-3) enters a tough stretch of contests this week as winners of three straight following Monday’s key win over the ‘Canes. Phillip Taylor threw a complete game shutout, striking out four and giving up four hits on the afternoon to propel the Hawks to victory. Zack McCoy scored the lone run in the second inning for Becahi.

Outside of Liberty, the Hawks have showdowns against Nazareth (7-3) and Easton (5-4), two difficult league contests, before wrapping up the week on Saturday against Wyoming Valley West at home. The EPC league standings are below with the teams in bold currently in position for the league playoffs.

EPC Standings

Poc Mt. East 8-2, 7-1

Parkland 9-2, 7-1

Liberty 9-4, 8-2

Emmaus 7-6, 7-2

Freedom 8-5, 7-2

Nazareth 7-3, 6-2

Bethl Catholic 8-3, 6-3

Northampton 8-4, 5-4

Allen 5-8, 5-6

Eastburg South 6-6, 4-4

Easton 5-4, 4-4

Whitehall 6-6, 4-6

Central Catholic 4-6, 3-5

Stroudsburg 4-7, 3-6

Pleasant Valley 3-8, 2-8

Poc Mt. West 1-7, 1-7

Dieruff 2-9, 1-9

Eastburg North 0-9, 0-9