Andy Pitsilos didn't know much about Northampton or Bangor heading into this week's District 11 4A playoff action, but he knows none of that really matters when the Hurricanes open play today against the K-Kids.

Northampton defeated Bangor 5-0 on Monday afternoon in the first round of the tournament to set up a 4:30 pm quarterfinal against the Hurricanes on their home turf.

After falling in the East Penn Conference semifinals 7-6 to Stroudsburg last week, the Hurricanes are in a good mood entering the district race.

"We lost to a good team in Stroudsburg," Pitsilos said, "but it was good to see our entire team come out and watch the EPC championship [last week]. It wasn't because I told them to, but it was because they wanted to. These guys love baseball and they want to keep their season going."

Alexis Calderon will get the nod on the mound for the 'Canes today in what will be the first encounter between both schools this season.

Liberty should have the advantage of getting two more days of rest, as well as having their number-one pitcher on the mound, compared to the K-Kids throwing their top gun on Monday.

"You hope that's the advantage of having a bye in the first round," Pitsilos said. "However, you still have to hit the ball, play defense and have good pitching. Northampton's a scrappy team and they always play you tough, but we'll see if depth comes into play in this one."

A win by the fourth-seeded Hurricanes on Wednesday will set up a semifinal encounter with either top-seeded Parkland or Pocono Mountain East on Saturday.