The Knoch High School baseball team experienced a threefold increase in the amount of wins from the 2007 season to this year.

After winning nine games this year, the Knights hope that playing together this summer as part of the Saxonburg Palomino team will help them improve even more.

In its first season in the Quad County North Palomino League, Saxonburg has started the season 5-12. They have gone against teams accustomed to the Palomino League and with veterans and collegiate players on the team.

Saxonburg's team comprises mostly players who were freshmen and sophomores on the Knoch team this past season.

"These kids are seeing the best baseball around and that's why we are in the organization," Saxonburg manager Dale Gallo said.

"Keeping the high school team together during the summer will benefit them during the [WPIAL] season. That is going to make them better."

Last season, Saxonburg competed in American Legion baseball. The team is made up entirely of current and former Knoch players.

Brandon Wissinger, who graduated from Knoch this year, and Cullen Hinderliter, who will be a junior, are the top pitchers. When they are not pitching, Wissinger catches and Hinderliter plays third base.

Dale Gallo, the manager's son, has had a big year offensively. He hit a home run against Springdale, one of the top teams in the Quad County North. Justin Thompson, the lone 19-year-old player on the roster, plays outfield and pitches.

Gallo plays in center field and the rest of the outfielders rotate between left and right field. The Saxonburg team is part of the South Butler Baseball Association and they play their home games at Laura Doerr Park.

John DeWalt was a center fielder for Knoch during the spring but plays shortstop for the Palomino team. Andrew Wirtz has been battling through injuries this year and is currently the designated hitter.

Robert Zanella sees time in the outfield and also pitches. Kenny Dunmyre is one of the more versatile players on team, seeing time at third base, outfield and at catcher.

Nathan Junk, a freshman this past season, plays in the outfield and pitches. Sam Stone is the starting first basemen and Justin Wolford plays at second base and in the outfield.

Stone, Zanella, Wirtz, Hinderliter, Gallo and DeWalt were all sophomores this past year, making Saxonburg one of the youngest teams in the league.

"We are all young but they are all doing very well," manager Gallo said.

"When you are running 16 year olds out there against older teams, it's tough, but they are battling and the kids have welcomed the challenge. In a couple of years we will have an all 18-year-old team.

"These kids don't quit. They don't give up just because we are a young team and we are playing against some 18 and 19 year olds."