Following a 1-4 start, the Shaler Titans baseball squad went 12-2 to finish the season 13-6 and qualify for the playoffs.

"We tore it up in section play," said catcher Taylor Juran. "Our team chemistry is amazing. We all get along and have great attitudes."

The only losses in section were to the defending State champion Seneca Valley Raiders and a one-run loss to Butler.

"I don't think much has changed since the beginning of the season," Juran said. "We are playing with a lot of confidence."

Juran began playing baseball with the influence of his older brother and dad. He took a liking to the sport, and has developed into one of the best catchers in the WPIAL.

"The best part of catching is that the whole game is in front of you," Juran said. "There is nobody behind me."

Juran does not call the pitches, but he still has a lot of responsibility.

"If there is a man on second or third, and the ball gets into the dirt, and I make the block, there is no better feeling," Juran said. "I love being the catcher. It is the best position."

In addition to his catching duties, Juran is a team captain and he strives to lead by example. The Titans have a senior-heavy team, but Juran is eager to help everyone out, not just the youth of the team.

"I always want to help others as much as I can," he said.

Juran is always offering up a little advice to his mates, but he said he will chew them out a little if he sees something that can help their game.

"I do it to help them, not to be a jerk," Juran said. "When my brother was here, he chewed me out, and I hated it. But with constructive criticism I started to realize it would keep me from making the same mistake, so I get on their case so they don't either."

To get himself ready for each game, Juran likes to get with a teammate in the bullpen and have them throw at him so he can get warmed up with his footwork. He'll also have them throw balls for him to block.

Once he gets ready physically, Juran gets himself mentally prepared. He does not go crazy; rather he has a quiet confidence about him. He scouts the opposing pitcher and looks for things he can use to his advantage when batting. Juran may have started the season a little slow, but he has caught fire at just the right time.

"This team can go really far," Juran said. "We may not have a dominant No. 1 pitcher like Seneca Valley but we have a lot of very solid pitchers -- a lefty, two righty's, plus a junior and a sophomore. We have also really been hitting well and if we stay together we can go really far."

The first goal was to make the playoffs and now that they have accomplished that, the WPIAL title is next on the list.

"Our goal is to be positive each day," Juran said. "We don't get starstruck. We are a strong team."

To win it all, the biggest obstacle will be Seneca Valley, but Juran is confident the Titans will find a way to win the championship.

Juran said that he will do his part, and he will make sure his pitchers won't have to worry about making a mistake, as he plans to keep the ball in front of him at all times.

Juran wants everyone to step up and wants every player to act like a captain, and carry himself with confidence and lead with his actions.

It is that mentality, coupled with tremendous skill, that will have Juran playing college baseball for Temple University for the next four years. Playing college ball was a huge goal for Juran, who sacrificed a lot of time to do the work necessary to make it to the college level. Despite accomplishing his goal, Juran has no plans of letting up on his work ethic.

"My team always comes first and I will do whatever I can to help them," he said.

Juran has aspirations of being drafted in the amateur draft in the future, but for now he is focused on Gateway and the first round of the WPIAL playoffs. Juran and the Titans will play Gateway at North Allegheny on Friday at 4 p.m.