The Findlay franchise in the Greater Pittsburgh Federation League is only in its third season of existence, but the Flyers already have made an appearance in the league championship series.

Findlay manager Rick Schultz strives to make that the norm rather than the exception. Although ascending to the upper echelon of the league in just two seasons was impressive, Findlay is not satisfied with one season of such status.

The Flyers, who were 3-5 heading into Monday night's game against Bethel Park and before yesterday's scheduled game against Allegheny Valley, expect to make a playoff run again this summer.

"We're underachieving at this point," Schultz said Sunday evening after a win against CIT. "We've lost three one-run games -- and not always by the same thing. It was errors one time, too many walks another ... that kind of stuff ... not hitting. So hopefully maybe [Sunday] means we got back on track."

After a rainout last week, the team took a couple days off and Schultz was pleased with the way the team responded Sunday.

"We had a little talk about regrouping, getting this ship straightened out," Schultz said.

"We have the talent, top to bottom, to play with anybody in the league. But we haven't gotten all phases of our game going yet. And sometime, we will."

To the league runner-up roster, Findlay added some additional pieces, including two new starting pitchers. Right-hander Ben Sorosky, who plays at Pitt-Greensburg and is a Moon Area High School graduate, was 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 innings heading into the week.

Righty Mike Ritson completed his freshman year at Division I Witnthrop this spring and had a 1.64 ERA in two starts, striking out 14 in 11 innings.

"He's been throwing really well," Schultz said.

Eric Wadowsky (Langley High School) and Paul Altmeyer (Moon) are returning starting pitchers while Andy Rafalski (Montour), Bob Merhaut and Mike Reilly (Sto-Rox) have worked out of the bullpen for a team that had a quality 3.57 ERA through eight contests.

Offensively, the attack has been remarkably balanced, with six regulars hitting at least .333.

Rafalski was second on the team in batting average and RBIs. He plays at California (Pa.), along with West Allegheny alum Jon Leber and Montour's Adam Smith and Ryan Yost. Leber, a center fielder, was leading the team in RBIs, Smith (playing shortstop until Langley and Seton Hill product Brandon Whitfield recovers from knee surgery) led the team in hitting and Yost (right field) in steals.

Furst baseman/catcher Blaise Milburn (Sewickley Academy and Kenyon College) and outfielder Derek Compo (Moon, Pitt-Greensburg) also have solid offensive numbers.

"Everybody's been contributing [offensively] and doing really well," Schultz said.

There are only a handful of players on the roster who did not play for Moon, Montour or West Allegheny high schools.

"We'd like to keep it as local as possible," said Schultz, who previously coached Legion ball in the area. "Keep that pipeline."

Findlay lost in the championship series last season to league power St. Johns Lambros.

"Our goals definitely are to make the playoffs and take the next step that we didn't last year," Schultz said. "We want to improve every year and build on this thing."

The team is on the verge of moving to a new facility. Findlay Township has been in the process of building a new recreation and sports complex one mile west of Imperial along Route 30. It includes basketball courts, dekhockey, a picnic pavilion, skate park and the baseball field that will be used by the Flyers and the local Colt and American Legion baseball teams.

Schultz said the Fed League team, which has been playing home games at West Allegheny High School, should be playing there by the end of the month.

"West Allegheny has been very accommodating to us to let us play there," Schultz said. "Now, we have our own field."