With little varsity experience back this spring, Bethlehem Catholic head coach Mike Grasso hopes his 28th season in the dugout can be better than expected.

The Hawks posted a 9-11 overall mark last season and finished 6-8 in the Lehigh Valley Conference to miss out on the postseason. Getting back there this year may be a greater task, as senior shortstop Pat Mergel and senior catcher Colin McGeary are the only returning starters back for the Hawks.

"Of all my years coaching, this is really the first time where I've had only a few starters returning," said Grasso, who carries a 332-217 record for his career. "We just need to throw strikes, play defense and score runs. These guys have been working hard, but we really don't have a lot of experience."

The Hawks may only have two returning senior starters, but they have 12 seniors overall, which should give them plenty of leadership. The rest of the seniors include Jim Downey (P), Chris Figler (OF/P), Brad McLoughlin (OF), Joe Giordano (P/IF), Kyle Brandon (P/IF), Eric Braun (P/OF), Dom Fatore (P/IF), Sean Fritz (P/OF), John Newpower (C/P) and Rich Taglin (OF).

"Figler is really the only other guy with experience," said Grasso. "The lack of experience we have presents an opportunity for the other guys on the team. We don't return a pitcher with varsity experience either, so that's going to be a major point of emphasis for us."

Downey is slated to be the Hawks top pitcher and Grasso hopes that other seniors can fill out the rotation.

With the Hawks getting out on the diamond for the second time this season on Sunday, getting their full slate of games in without weather disruption is just as important.

Becahi was scheduled to open the season Monday against Saucon Valley, but that game was postponed because of weather conditions.

That leaves the Hawks looking at the prospect of taking on Liberty Thursday afternoon in their opener.

"We hope that we can get that game in to start the year," Grasso said. "We hope that this group of guys can learn quickly and keep working hard. We know our conference is difficult and you can't afford to have a rough start."