For the Northampton baseball team this spring, it is about potential and health.

That’s pretty common for every season, but the Konkrete Kids can be playing ball late into the spring if the two reach high levels.

“We have some returning pitchers who all saw some notable time last season,” said veteran head coach Mick Sugra, who will begin his 15th year at the helm. “Defensively, we have a mix of seniors and juniors who all had some significant time at their positions last year.”

Northampton finished last season with an overall 15-9 mark, ending their season with an 8-6 loss to Liberty in the district Class 6A semifinal round.

The Kids will return a solid core of seniors: Erick Castro, Andrew Berger, Gavin Pychinka, Billy Struhldreher, Austin Sommers and junior Brady Simock.

Castro (2-2, 4.80 ERA), Berger (3-1, 2.80), and Simock (2-2, 2.59) will anchor the NHS staff this spring. Fellow senior Tommy Hensel (0-0. 6.12) will also be in the mix.

“All of those guys had significant innings for us last year,” noted Sugra. “We all believe they can reach another level this season.”

Simock (.400) Pychinka (.348), Struhldreher (.339) paced the Kids offensively, and they will play in the outfield. Sommers (.275) will see time at second and third, and Castro (.336) will man shortstop.

Sugra will look to a deep class of juniors to provide depth and fill some starting roles: Aidan Sugra (shortstop), Casey Williams (outfield), Charlie Burrell (catcher, first base), Jaxson Rutzmoser (catcher), Brayden Giandomenico (second base, pitcher), Cole Schaffer (pitcher, utility), and Owen Churetta (third base, second base).

“Offensively we have some key pieces back from last year and Pychinka, Struhldreher, Castro, Sommers, and Simock should get more reps than last year,” noted Sugra. “The juniors in the lineup will have to fill their roles. But we like what they offer.”

The Kids opened their season Wednesday at the Ripken Experience in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. They were joined there for a five-day stay with Bangor, Bethlehem Catholic, and Quakertown.

Northampton’s varsity and junior varsity teams will scrimmage Bangor and Quakertown.

The Kids will open the regular season March 19 against Southern Lehigh.

Sugra has been around long enough to realize that deep runs don’t simply occur because of your roster. It will be about potential and health.

“It looks good on paper right now,” he said. “But you have to play the game. We’ll keep working hard and hope we play to our potential and see how the chips fall.

“As long as we stay healthy and play to our potential, we can play deep into the postseason.”