California Area High School baseball coach Don Hartman has an interesting theory for the Trojans' great success during his 10-year tenure.

"I normally don't have a lot of seniors," said Hartman, who has led California to seven WPIAL playoff appearances, including the past five years in a row. "The most seniors I've ever started was five. The turnover of players has kept the program going. It's a big reason for our success."

Chalk it up to natural attrition and the fact that California has a small enrollment.

Whatever, the Trojans concluded the season with a 21-4 record, which included a second consecutive appearance in the WPIAL title game, and two games in the PIAA playoffs.

"I've been a part of the California baseball program since I played there," said Hartman, who was a four-year starter for the Trojans.

"We won the WPIAL title my freshman year in 1983 and were the state runner-up the following year. I returned to the program in 1991 as an assistant coach after I graduated from California University."

California has finished among the top four WPIAL teams in Class A the past four years. The Trojans placed second in the WPIAL this season, won the title last year, and lost in the semifinals the two previous years.

"I've been very fortunate to have so many talented players over the years," said Hartman. "Another reason for our success is my coaching staff. I couldn't do it without them."

Gary Riley has been Hartman's infield coach for 10 years. Shaun Rice has taken over as pitching coach after being the ace of California's WPIAL championship team in 2001. Andy Galis, a starter in 2004 and 2005, is the outfield coach.

"I like to keep it in house," said Hartman. "We are one big happy family."

Hartman will bid adieu to only three graduating starters -- Zach Jeney, Mike Galis, and J.D. Hawk -- but all three made significant contributions.

Jeney was a four-year starter who compiled a 32-8 record and 466 strikeouts. A left-hander, he will continue his career at Lewisburg Junior College in North Carolina.

"Zack was only a pitcher as a freshman," said Hartman. "From that point, he didn't leave the field. He also played first base and sometimes in the outfield.

"He's an overpowering lefty who throws in the upper 80s [mph]. You're not going to lose many games with somebody with that kind of velocity on the mound."

Jeney was also California's top hitter. He had a .470 average, four home runs, and 28 runs batted in going into the PIAA playoffs.

Galis was a three-year starter at shortstop who plans to continue his baseball and academic careers at Grove City College.

"Mike had a .281 average, but had a knack for getting on base," said Hartman. "Going into the state playoffs, he had 18 hits and 20 walks. That's like having 38 hits."

Hawk was the Trojans catcher the past two years. He had a .328 average, seven doubles, and 20 RBIs going into the state playoffs.

California's top three returning starters are: Ben Carson, Matt Hartman and Travis VanOlst.

"Three of our top four pitchers are underclassmen," said Don Hartman. "We also have a freshman lefty and freshman righty who will move up to the varsity next year, so we should have solid pitching."

VanOlst, a junior who also plays first base, had a .390 average and 20 RBIs going into the state playoffs. He also had a 3-0 record as the Trojans No. 2 starter.

Carson, a sophomore who split time in the outfield and on the mound, had a .423 average, 33 hits, and 15 RBIs going into the state playoffs. He also had a 7-0 pitching record.

Matt Hartman, a junior who is a first cousin to the head coach, doubled as a third baseman and closer. He had a .455 average, five home runs, and 28 RBIs.