If there’s a loose group in this year’s NORCO playoffs, it’s Northampton.

The Kids (13-5) are the second-seed in this week’s playoffs, which got underway Tuesday evening against the seventh-seeded Wanderers (9-8-1).

Head coach Mike Bodnar doesn’t think his group feels pressure heading into the postseason being such a top-seed, which is just the way he prefers it to be as matchups go to best-of-three series this week.

“They’re a loose group of guys,” Bodnar said. “I think it took awhile for them from the varsity season to not worry about results and just play the game and have fun.”

However, pressure is now on Northampton following Tuesday’s 4-2 loss.

Tuesday’s showdown pitted David Angelucci against Nick DeMieri on the mound, as Angelucci struck out nine in the victory.

“The last time we played them [Alexis] Calderon pitched for them and lasted five innings,” said Bodnar. “Nick has had off for about a week now and we feel comfortable putting him out there to start this off for us.”

Another obstacle Northampton will have to deal with this week is losing two starters to having their wisdom teeth removed, as Justin Bragg and Mike Kovalchik will be out of action because of the surgery.

That leaves holes on the field.

“They are losses for us but we’ve dealt with players missing before,” said Bodnar. “Our depth has really filled in well for us when guys have been out, so we’re actually not worried about missing guys too much.”

Since both teams haven’t played since the season opener, it’s obvious that teams can improve over the course of the summer and Bodnar is happy he’s seen his team improve at the plate and stay consistent on the mound.

The Kids just hope that continues through this week.

The other NORCO matchups include top-seeded Hellertown (14-3-1) taking on eighth-seeded B & M (9-9).

Third-seeded Nazareth (13-5) opens with sixth-seeded Roseto (10-8), while Birches (12-6) and East Stroudsburg (11-6-1) square off in a four-five matchup.

The best-of-three opening round series must be completed before Friday, when the semifinal round is slated to take place.

The championship series is scheduled for next Monday.

Northampton played game two of their series on Wednesday, past Press deadlines.