The Baldwin American Legion team looked like an average squad in its first eight games. That changed after coach Dan Caponi read a story in the Post-Gazette.

"We were 4-4 going into a doubleheader with Peters Township/Canon-Millan," he said. "Prior to those games, I read a story in the PG that featured their team. I knew how important those games were."

Baldwin responded with a sweep of the doubleheader.

"We even beat their ace, Chris Dittmar, in the second game," Caponi said. "That began a nine-game winning streak. It was a giant boost to our confidence."

Baldwin ended the regular season Tuesday night with a 8-5 victory against Keystone Oaks. It won the Southern League title with a 15-5 record and has now won 11 of its past 12 games heading into the Allegheny County playoffs.

"Every game was a battle," said Caponi, who is the son of Baldwin High School coach Dan Caponi, Sr. "Attitude and leadership have been the key to our success. The younger players are feeding off the leadership the older players have provided."

The title has earned Baldwin one of the top four seeds in the Allegheny County playoffs, which are scheduled to begin tonight. The top four teams in each of the four leagues in Allegheny County qualify for the playoffs. A meeting was held last night to determine the 16-team bracket.

"I've stressed all year to the kids to have a good time," Caponi said. "The same is true for the playoffs. Every inning we play in the playoffs is a bonus."

His squad is making its American Legion debut.

"We were in the Tri-State Palomino League last year," said Caponi, who began his coaching career four years ago at age 19. "The team that had the Baldwin charter last year decided not to return this year. League officials asked if we wanted to take over the charter. We decided to make the move, but we are still fielding a Palomino team that features our youngers players. Our goal is to have a good feeder system for the high school team."

Caponi's assistant is Mike McCarthy, who recently completed his junior year at Seton Hill University.

"Mike has been a great help to me," Caponi said. "He has a great knowledge of the finer points of baseball strategy."

Baldwin has a 13-player roster that includes three college students: shortstop Joe Aul, second baseman Dave McCarthy and third baseman Jason Monroe.

Aul plays at CCAC-South, while McCarthy plays with his brother at Seton Hill. Aul boasts a .350 batting average as Baldwin's leadoff hitter. McCarthy bats third and has seven home runs and 22 RBI. Monroe redshirted at Thiel College this season.

Mike Hustava and Chris Priore are recent graduates of Baldwin. Hustava is a pitcher who also plays both corner positions in the infield. He has a 4-1 record on the mound and is hitting .410 as the team's cleanup hitter. Priore is an outfielder who has a .325 average. He missed the first 11 games with a medical condition, but is now healthy.

Players who recently completed their junior year are pitcher Andy Cornell, first baseman Brian Basik, outfielder Lloyd Phillips, catcher Zac Kozlowski, outfielder/catcher Ryan Greguric and outfielder/pitcher Matt Bradburn.

Cornell is a lefty who has a 6-2 record. Phillips is batting better than .400. Bradburn has three saves.

"Lloyd has a cannon for an arm," Caponi said. "He has thrown out 85 percent of the runners trying to steal on him. Lloyd has been our biggest surprise. He's been a clutch part of our offense."

The other two members of Baldwin's roster are: pitcher/center fielder/second baseman Pat McCarthy and pitcher Jeff Betz.

Betz has a 4-0 record and a 4.21 earned run average. McCarthy is hitting better than .300.