Liberty may have lost in the EPC baseball championship over the weekend, but this is the time of year when it really counts for all teams in the District 11 tournament.

The Hurricanes are going for their fourth straight District 11 6A championship and Bethlehem Catholic is looking to defend their 4A crown from a year ago.

Freedom is hoping they can make noise and win their first title since 2018 when the postseason gets underway this week.

It’s all part of the intrigue of the D11 tournament, one where the Hurricanes enter with a bull’s-eye despite losing to Parkland 7-5 on Saturday in extra innings in the EPC title game.

Head coach Andy Pitsilos knows his group will shake off the league championship loss as they prepare for a showdown with East Stroudsburg South on Wednesday at home.

“Losing to Parkland was just a loss,” said Pitsilos. “We have to put that aside and concentrate on the next game. One game at a time and hopefully we can win districts. Keep things simple and everyone do their job and we will have a chance to win.”

Should the Hurricanes (18-5) win, it sets up the possibility of seeing Freedom a third time this year, as both games went Liberty’s way in one run contests.

The Patriots (16-6) host Emmaus on Wednesday in the quarterfinals, but at this time of the year, anything is possible in these win or go home scenarios.

“We have a good group who can beat anybody, or lose to anybody based on how we play from game to game,” said Pitsilos.

Becahi head coach Matt Corsi endured a tougher season than he thought with the Hawks, as they enter the tourney as the fourth seed with an 8-11 mark, but that doesn’t faze the Hawks confidence.

“Trying to get this going and take care of the small things,” said Corsi of what it’ll take for his group to repeat as district champs. “This is a veteran group with a lot of playoff experience.

“It will come down to us executing bunts, hit and runs, and taking care of the baseball on defense. Also getting timely hits and pitchers continuing to pound the strike zone.”

The Hawks host Jim Thorpe on Wednesday as well in their 4A opener, but will then have to take on top-seed Tamaqua in the semifinals should they win.

It’s the same path Becahi went through last year en route to the title, coming in as the four seed and toppling Tamaqua in the semifinals 12-6.