Guns N' Roses. Judas Priest. Iron Maiden.

The Hampton High School baseball team?

Any list of heavy metal bands should be updated to include the Talbots. When they swing their bats, they're loud, pyrotechnic and extremely entertaining,

"Offense has probably been our biggest asset," said Hampton coach Gary Wilson. "For the most part, we've been hitting the ball well."

Well enough to make the WPIAL playoffs for the first time in four years. The Talbots (14-5) will face Indiana (13-5) at 4 p.m. tomorrow at High Field No. 1, Butler, in a first-round Class AAA game.

Qualifying wasn't easy, as Hampton competed in monstrous Section 1. The Talbots earned the third and final playoff berth behind Pine-Richland and Blackhawk, finishing just a game up on New Castle.

Axl Rose should be proud of the kids from McCully Road. They are averaging 9.6 runs per game. They've launched 21 home runs. They've scored in double figures 10 times.

"Some days," Wilson said, "we annihilate the baseball."

Even on days they don't, the Talbots have the pitching and defense to thrive. They've scored fewer than four runs only once, and won that contest, 3-2, against Ellwood City April 10.

Leading the offense is perhaps the top power hitter in the WPIAL, senior Chris Beatty. A catcher, Beatty has caught more than a few opposing pitchers' deliveries with the lethal end of his bat, launching nine homers, driving in 35 runs, and amassing a .547 average (35 for 64). Oh, and this cleanup man has struck out only two times -- a night for Jeromy Burnitz.

"Chris had two other good years, batting over .400,' Wilson said. "But he has really come into his own."

Marietta College, a top Division III program, has shown a keen interest in Beatty. Division I Xavier also has inquired.

He has been prolific partly because the No. 3 guy has been as well. Senior Josh Campanella, a .300-plus hitter the previous two seasons, is actually outhitting Beatty -- batting .561 (37 for 66) with three homers, 30 RBIs and 32 runs scored.

"I wasn't sure who we would use in the No. 3 spot after Jedd Cordisco left," Wilson said. "Last year, Josh batted second sometimes, but mostly toward the bottom of the order.

"Josh had been steady before, but he's been very impressive this season. He's struck out only four times."

Previously a second baseman, Campanella switched to shortstop this season out of need and has been sound defensively.

Junior Marcus Magister has stroked five homers, giving the Talbots a total of 17 out of the Nos. 3-5 slots. A right fielder, Magister also has five doubles, 25 RBIs and a .371 average.

For the third year in a row, Sean Hennessey is batting leadoff. He has scored 27 runs and has pop, sending two out of the yard. Hennessey, a senior, also is a quality center fielder who has two assists to the plate.

Sophomore Cory McGinnis is hitting .369 from the No. 2 spot. He is a third baseman/pitcher.

McGinnis and fellow right-hander, Kevin Barberich, a senior, are the staff aces. Each has a 5-1 record.

"We feel pretty comfortable when they go to the mound," Wilson said. "They have good command of the fastball, curve and changeup."

Seniors John Boy and Justin Obringer bat sixth and seventh, and often comprise the right side of the infield. Boy plays second base and third, and Obringer usually is at first.

Boy had been limited somewhat by a football knee injury, but is now 100 percent. Obringer has improved dramatically on offense, batting .414 with just four strikeouts.

Barberich bats eighth and will be a second baseman or designated hitter when he's not pitching.

Scott Wilson, a senior who is not related to his coach, bats ninth and plays left field.

Junior Mike Susi often serves as a pinch hitter or runner and plays some at second base. Sophomore Jason Steen is a left-handed pitcher and backup first baseman.

Two seniors, Eric Secen and Ryan Drzmiecki, also get playing time.

Campanella, Wilson and Boy complement Barberich, McGinnis and Steen on the mound.

Continuous rehab from an ankle injury kept one of Hampton's best athletes from coming out for baseball: Steve Paskorz. A junior, Paskorz is a running back-linebacker and a likely Division I football recruit.

He, of course, knows all about hits -- the ones he delivers and takes while wearing pads, and the ones his former teammates lash out as heavy-metal stars.

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL