"The offense has been solid all season," Hempfield East coach Scott Smith said. "Everyone is hitting, and every game it seems like a different player contributes. This team has a lot of character."

That was the case yesterday. Pat Costello opened the game with a home run. Casey Teagarden, Alex Naggy, Steve Bills and Pat Kohl each delivered clutch hits in the final two innings. Naggy, who earned the win in relief, shut down West Hempfield's offense over the final three innings. "This game is always big," Costello said. "It's like the Hempfield/Greensburg Salem rivalry. Most of us were teammates in high school, so it's a game for bragging rights. The games are usually competitive."
 

Stokes said he has to make sure the players don't get too pumped up over the game.

"I have to keep them in check," Stokes said. "I have to control their emotions."

Stokes admitted winning the division would have been nice, but reaching peak performance in the playoffs is what he wants.
 

"We had two good runs the past two seasons," Stokes said. "We're hoping we have another this year." Smith said this season has been his most enjoyable as a coach.

"The players are playing relaxed," he said. "We're getting great pitching and solid defense. The pitchers are giving us a chance to win." Naggy, Teagarden and Eric Bruno make up Hempfield East's staff. Bills has been solid behind the plate. "This team is having a lot of fun," Smith said. "The win proved to them that they are capable of coming from behind."

Hempfield East concludes the regular season Thursday at Greensburg and Saturday at Arnold.