Things don't change at Liberty when it comes to expectations for the upcoming baseball season.

As head coach Andy Pitsilos enters lucky year 13 at the helm of the program, he brings back a young and talented team that hopes to contend for the league and district crowns.

That all starts with challenging Freedom for the Steel Division title in the new East Penn Conference, as Bethlehem Catholic, Easton, Allen and Dieruff also join the division this year.

Returning for the Hurricanes this season includes all-conference outfielder Mike Mittl (Sr), who batted .379 last year, along with 17 RBIs while scoring 24 runs.

Other notable starters include David Guariello (1B/Sr); Connor Vanderbush (1B-OF/Sr); Logan Steidinger (C/Sr); Ben Hudock (P/Jr) and Alexis Calderon (P/Jr).

Hudock went 1-2 last year and Calderon had a 2-1 mark. Pitching will be plentiful for the 'Canes this season, but getting them up to speed with experience will be the biggest task.

"We possess a young but talented pitching staff," said Pitsilos. "If they can manufacture runs and play great defense, they will make a run and contend for the EPC title."

Newcomers include Ryan Wescoe (OF/Jr), Mike Lahman (1B-OF/Jr), Andy Rivera (IF-OF/Jr), Kyle Ross (C/Jr), Ben Kraihanzel (OF), Elias Gross (SS/So), Sam Kraihanzel (3B/So) and Mike Perrault (P-3B/So).

The biggest strength Pitsilos has entering this season is the depth of pitching and team defense, but needs to answer some question marks about the team's ability to manufacture runs.

"Our pitching staff is a bit inexperienced," he said. "There are three juniors and three sophomores, but the biggest thing we need to work on is scoring runs."