Don't look now, but the Coplay Legion baseball team is rocketing up the standings.

Winners of three consecutive games, the lads from Coplay are now 5-7, and are looking to secure a playoff spot now that the season is in the back stretch.

The launching pad proved to be a full complement of baseball players, a happy turn of events for Coplay manager Louis Falco. "The key is having people back," said Falco. "It's nice to have, two or three extra guys off the bench."

While that was then rocket fuel that got them going, their pitching is what has been the guiding force behind their upward trajectory.

One of those hurlers who's helped ignite their ascendancy is Tyler Bridgwood. Falco said that Bridgwood had a hand in two wins over West Allentown recently, getting the save in the suspended game, and then getting the win as a reliever in game where Coplay scored all its runs in the top of the ninth to claim the 3-0 win.

"He did a good job," said Falco. "I was really impressed with that."

In that 3-0 win over West Allentown, Bridgwood built on the groundwork of starter Daniel Lloyd who tossed seven scoreless innings before Bridgwood took over in the eighth.

Falco said the team has a quality staff, with Lloyd, Matthew Hassick, Khristian Polanco, Richard Yost, Tyler Sweeney and Bridgwood all capable arms that have helped them stay within striking distance of a playoff berth.

"Our pitching has still been good," said Falco.

Lloyd boasts the best earned run average (with a least 10 innings pitched) with a 0.93 mark. Hassick is next with 2.88.

Falco also said that their bats have come alive lately, cutting down on their strikes and making good contact. Falco said it took some time getting adjusted to the wooden bats and they've been making steady improvement.

Falco said that William Kovolenko III, has been the leader of the recent hit parade, tallying multi-hit games in their last few wins.

Sweeney has also been shining at the plate, hitting .350, while Polanco is batting .364. Lloyd is also wielding a hot stick, hitting .318. And Yost if batting .250.

Their offense has also played a part in getting them back in the playoff picture.

"We've been hitting the ball well," said Falco. "It's helped to spark us offensively."

The Lehigh Valley Legion recently held a "Showcase" event at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading. Falco said that it's a way for college scouts/recruiters to see legion players who have not yet committed to a school.

Making the trip for Coplay was Hassick (pitcher) and Lloyd (first base).

Now that the team has reeled off some wins, Falco is confident they have the talent to make it to the postseason.

"Hopefully, we'll win a couple of more and secure a spot in the playoffs," said Falco.