The Center Trojans were one of the top baseball teams in WPIAL Class AA last season ... at least they were for the season's first five weeks.

But a 4-4 finish after a 12-0 start that included a loss in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs left a sour taste in the mouths of the team members -- one that has served as a motivating factor for the Trojans over the offseason and during this season's first few weeks.

"I don't want to say we fell apart, but we didn't do as well as we should have down the stretch," junior pitcher Cory Wagner said. "That just makes us want to work to make sure that doesn't happen again this year."

"After we lost to Bishop Canevin in the playoffs, we talked and the kids really made a commitment," Trojans coach Paul DeFilippi said.

"The senior leadership this year has been tremendous. It started in fall ball, and when we had conditioning and weight training, the kids showed in great numbers. Batting practice, workouts ... the commitment was there. They made the sacrifice to make this year a special one"

Center appears to be on its way to a special season. The Trojans are ranked No. 5 in WPIAL Class AA by the Post-Gazette and were 7-1 heading into yesterday's Section 1-AA game against Aliquippa.

DeFilippi said the biggest reason Center has been able to maintain its level of regular-season success -- despite losing eight seniors, five of whom started for last year's team -- has been the performance of its pitching staff.

The Trojans had given up only 27 runs in their first seven victories this season. The staff has adjusted to being without former ace Ryan Hulme, who is pitching at Division I Elon University in North Carolina.

"They key to our season was how our young pitchers would respond," DeFilippi said. "They've been terrific."

DeFilippi has mixed six pitchers into the rotation.

Junior Mike Guarascio was 2-0 heading into the week, left-hander Wagner 1-0 with a save and a 2.33 ERA. The team has two other junior lefties in Mike Zupi and Tyler Holp.

Senior right-handers Nate DeFilippi, the coach's nephew, and Kevin Urtz round out the staff.

"After we lost Ryan last year, we didn't know how good the pitching would be this year," Wagner said. "But it's definitely been a bright spot on the team. We've really pitched well so far this year."

Wagner, Guarascio, Urtz and Zupi pitched prominently last season, with Wagner winning four games and Urtz two.

Offensively, Wagner, who is 6 feet, 210 pounds, led the team in hitting heading into yesterday at .500 (11 for 22) and had two home runs and 12 RBIs while playing first base and pitcher. Senior Matt Lavalle, a two-time All-MAC football performer, was batting .423 out of the No. 2 spot in the batting order and was on his way to leading the team in RBIs for the second season in a row while playing shortstop.

He is headed to a collegiate athletic career, as is Nate DeFilippi, an outfielder and leadoff hitter who was hitting .450 with 11 walks. He will play at Seton Hill next season.

Also part of the everyday lineup are cleanup hitter Guarascio (third base when not pitching), Zupi (outfield), junior catcher Alex Filippi, senior outfielder Anthony McPherson, Urtz and senior first baseman/designated hitter Brian Poleti.

Paul DeFilippi said the Trojans' goals include qualifying for the WPIAL playoffs, making a run at a section title and advancing deeper into the postseason.

"We'll keep trying to get better every week, every game, and see what happens in the end," DeFilippi said. "As long as the kids are having fun and their attitude is great, that's all I can ask for. I'm proud because they all have made the commitment..

"I'm real happy with our start. The kids are doing a good job working hard. The attitude has just been super, and I can't ask for anything better than this."