Langley was not able to repeat as City League baseball champion this season, but the Mustangs were given a new lease on life by qualifying for the PIAA Class AAA playoffs.

Langley, City champions in 2004 and 2006, improved on its poor outing in the league semifinals when the Mustangs were no-hit by Carrick two weeks ago. The Mustangs still came up short, however, losing in the PIAA first round to Blackhawk at Matulevic Field in Shaler, 16-6, in six innings on Monday.

Langley scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to briefly lead against Blackhawk, 6-5. The WPIAL runner-up Cougars came up with 10 runs in the top of the fifth, however, aided by several walks issued by Langley pitchers and a hit batter. Langley issued 10 free passes, nine via base on balls.

"It's a tough way to lose, but I'm still happy because we had them sweating," said Mustangs veteran coach Leo Rauterkus, whose team lost, 13-1, to Carrick in the semifinals on May 23.

Langley (9-11), the champions of City League Section 2, entered the season minus three all-league players from last year's district championship team, including pitcher Matt Barnes, who had a standout freshman season at the College of Wooster, a Division III powerhouse.

Langley had a solid returning nucleus that included the graduated Barnes' younger brother, sophomore catcher Luke Barnes. He hit a two-run homer over the left field fence against Blackhawk. The younger Barnes was also a capable pitcher, but Rauterkus primarily used him at catcher because of his value to the team behind the plate.

Other notable returnees included senior outfielders Colton Carpenter in right field, Frank Dodd in center and Rob Renk in left. Renk had an RBI hit in the big inning against Blackhawk.

Juniors Matt Holste at first base and T.J. Smith at third base were also returning players from last year's title team while sophomore shortstop Phil Malle and sophomore DH/pitcher Brian Greening played prominent roles for the first time this season.

Senior shortstop/pitcher Nick Joseph was the top hitter on the team, batting .533. He was also the top pitcher with a 4-1 regular-season record and 3.47 ERA.

Langley had a golden opportunity to take control of the game early when it loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the first. Barnes, who was batting .457, popped out, however, and Malle (.412) grounded into an inning-ending double play.

"I think if we could have gotten ahead in that inning, that probably would have taken away from their small game. They had a tremendous small-ball team," Rauterkus said. "They were a tremendous bunting team. Maybe, the best I've ever seen at this level. They really knew how to handle the bat, plus we just gave them too many free passes."

With younger players such as Barnes, Greening and Malle playing Colt League summer baseball as well as American Legion ball for Elliott, Rauterkus should have a stronger returning nucleus for next season. Barnes and Malle were two of the team's top hitters this season despite their youth. Greening also has a lot of potential as a hitter and pitcher.

"He's a big kid. He's got some raw ability," Rauterkus. "We just need to work with him a little bit more."

City champion Carrick, whom Langley defeated early in the season, will have quite a few key players returning next season as well, including their top two pitchers, but Rauterkus is confident his team can make another run at the City League championship. Langley also defeated Carrick in last year's league semifinals.

"We've got a pretty good rivalry going against Carrick, Brashear and Allderdice," Rauterkus said. "We expect to be in contention again.

"The state playoffs was a great experience for us, even if we didn't go in them this time as the City champs like we usually do. I think getting to stay together as a team an extra couple weeks was a big plus for our younger kids. We're looking forward to having a better season next year."