The success of the Natrona Heights Palomino baseball team can be attributed to the fact that it was able to "play up" to the competition against the top teams in the Quad County North League.

Natrona Heights features mostly players from Highlands High School. It finished the Quad County regular season 17-9, but went 1-2 in the playoffs and was eliminated.

That doesn't mean the season has ended. Natrona Heights is participating in the Freeport International Baseball Invitational this week. It was scheduled to have games against teams from Australia and Japan.

"We've been in the Freeport Invitational for a number of years and the guys enjoy playing teams from other countries," Natrona Heights manager Mike Ropelewski said. "It's not a tournament and there's no trophy to win, it's just about the competition and the love of the game."

As for the Quad County North season, Ropelewski was pleased with the results. He liked the way his team performed against the better competition.

"The kids I have seem to rise to the occasion and play better," he said. "We did not play down to the level of anybody. They never gave up. It's rewarding and that's why I do this."

This is Ropelewski's second year coaching the team. It defeated North Allegheny Gold, 3-2, and North Hills, 4-3. They were two of the top teams in the Quad County North this season.

With the Palomino League allowing three 19-year-old players per team, Ropelewski made sure he stocked up with pitchers. All of Natrona Heights' 19-year olds are pitchers, including Vince Yandura, a freshman pitcher at Saint Vincent College this past season.

"When I had the chance to have three 19-year olds, I wanted him after last year because he wants the ball every day," Ropelewski said. "He is a pitcher not a thrower. I choose pitchers because nobody has enough."

P.J. Fleck, the ace of the staff last year, is another of the older players for Natrona Heights. He rejoined the team after undergoing surgery at the beginning of the season.

Upon his arrival back in the lineup Fleck hit the first pitch he saw and bounced a double off the center field fence. He was eventually moved to cleanup and in his second game back he had another double. He was an all-section player as a senior at Highlands in 2007.

Highlands struggled through a 7-10 record in the spring and went 4-8 in WPIAL Section 1-AAA, but Ropelewski expects the summer success to help the team.

"It's all Highlands kids on the team. We stayed at home [to get our players] and it really helps the team unity," Ropelewski said. "And with the college kids, this summer ball will help them. I know Vince's college coach is glad he is playing."

Matt Barch, the third 19-year old on the team, and Nick Glesk, 18, are the top power hitters for Natrona Heights. Glesk will be a sophomore at Slippery Rock and pitches and plays shortstop for the Palomino team.

Danny Jackson, a middle infielder and pitcher, bats cleanup and had two doubles and four RBIs in a game against Freeport. Listed at 5 feet 9, Jackson is one of the smallest cleanup hitters Ropelewski has had.

Ryan Clark, one of team's best infielders, has been moved to center field and has developed into the best outfielder on the squad. He is also one of the smallest players on the team at 5-7.

"If you had a team of 18 Ryan Clarks and Danny Jacksons, you would be very competitive," Ropelewski said. "They are the first ones on the field and they are doing extra work in the batting cage and they both run like jackrabbits."

Last season, Natrona Heights started 1-6 but finished 11-11 in the Palomino League.