Moon's American Legion baseball team will most likely have the best record of the 16 teams that qualify for the Allegheny County playoffs.

Coach Dom Santeufemio's squad will also have one of the most potent offensive attacks.

"We have a team average of .428," Santeufemio said. "Only one player on our roster has an average less than .300."

Moon beat Upper St. Clair, 12-9, Tuesday, upping its record to 16-2. It has all but clinched the top spot in the Ohio River League.

"Our last game is [tonight] against Chartiers Valley/South Fayette," Santeufemio said. "We also have three makeup games that we couldn't reschedule."

Santeufemio isn't sure what to expect in the playoffs.

"I haven't seen every team in Allegheny County, but I don't think there's a dominant team," he said. "We've done a great job in the Ohio River League, but overall the league may be a little weak.

"No team in our league has a wealth of pitching, including us. In the playoffs, it's going to come down to how far your pitching can take you."

Santeufemio has a 17-player roster that includes four starters from Moon's WPIAL Class AAA champions -- left fielder/pitcher Alex Knox, shortstop Scott Liller, first baseman Paul Pitaro and pitcher/third baseman Michael Jeffreys.

"Knox is our cleanup hitter," Santeufemio said. "He leads the team with a .688 average and two home runs. Liller bats second and has a .550 average, 4 doubles and 11 RBIs. Pitaro bats third and has a .563 average. All three have provided great leadership at the top of our lineup."

Jeffreys won seven games for Moon during the high school season, but has made only two appearances for the Legion team.

"Michael spent three weeks in Peru on a retreat with his church," Santeufemio said. "When he came back, his first appearance was cut short by muscle spasms in his arm. It's a tribute to the rest of the team that we've done this well without Michael making a major contribution. I just hope he's ready for the playoffs."

Jeffreys is joined by twin brothers Dan and Matt, who are both outfielders. Dan has a .467 average, while Matt is hitting .429.

"We've used eight of our 17 players on the mound," Santeufemio said. "We have to do that to keep our pitchers fresh."

Cody Quinn and Bo Bogats have been the most effective pitchers for Moon; both have 3-0 records.

Outfielder Jesse Dempsey has been Moon's top hitter with a .666 average.

Catcher Julian Spinosi and utility player Brandon Buck have also done a fine job. Spinosi has a .381 average after spending the high school season on the junior varsity. Buck is hitting .321.

"We got a late start due to the great success our high school team had," Santeufemio said. "We had to reschedule 11 games. It's impossible to get them all in when you consider the weather we've had."

Other members of Moon's Legion team are first baseman/outfielder Cory Chamberlain (.429, 11 RBIs), first baseman Jay Rush (.300), first baseman Angelo Aletto (.300), infielder Ben Taylor (.500), second baseman Derek Khazraie and infielder Steve Karaffa.

This is Santeufemio's second managerial stint with Moon's Legion team.

"We have a lot of young kids in the lineup," said Santeufemio, who also coaches Moon's high school team. "The experience they've picked up during the regular season and in the playoffs will no doubt help next season."