CENTER TWP — All Heath Schreffler had to do was look at the final scores.

6-3, 4-3, 3-2.

“When your 8-under all-star team is winning baseball games 3-2, you know you're playing some defense,” Center Township's all-star coach said.

“Not too many ground balls hit against our team make it out to the grass — and that's a rare thing for this age level.”

Much of that defense comes from a trio of players — third baseman Grady Bohin, shortstop Sage Seezox and first baseman Aiden Dinger — who play Beaver Valley travel baseball as well.

In fact, these kids play baseball pretty much around the calendar.

“I've seen eye-opening things with those three,” Schreffler said. “I can tell these kids have been working hard to be the best ballplayers they can be.

“I give credit to the Beaver Valley coaches, their parents and themselves.”

While the Center Township All-Stars have finished second in their two 10-team tournaments so far — their own tournament and Riverside's — Grady, Sage and Aiden play for three different tournament teams in Beaver Valley's system.

And they've all been winning.

In six tournaments, Grady's and Sage's teams have won two and finished runner-up twice. Aiden's team has won all six of its tournaments.

This trio's combined Beaver Valley tournament record is 65-19-2.

“All three of those kids are athletic and have great arms,” Beaver Valley coach Brian Smith said. “They all do some pitching for us and play different infield positions.

“Each is the top kid on his team. Grady's work ethic ... he puts so much time into the game. He's totally bought into baseball and likes to try every aspect of it. He's bigger and stronger than other kids his age.”

Aiden is a left-handed pitcher who Smith said has “God-given ability, an electric left arm. He throws with unbelievable velocity for his age. Because he's left-handed, he already has a leg up on everybody.”

Smith described Sage as “a great athlete with a whole lot of speed who gets after it.”

Schreffler said Sage bats in the leadoff spot for Center Township “because the kid gets on base all the time.”

This trio has been playing baseball together for four years at Center Township. They join their CT teammates in playing fall baseball and even play in winter leagues.

“When practice ends at 8 at night, our kids don't go home,” Schreffler said of the Center Township 8-year-old team. “We turn on the lights and they practice running, hitting, fielding, play catch until 9:30 or so. They just love the game.

“They've got so much energy ... far more than I ever remember having when I was a kid.”

Erik Bohin, Grady's father, credits Schreffler for much of the kids' enthusiasm toward the game.

“Coach Heath has been a great asset to these kids here at Center Township and the bond the kids built with them has been amazing.

“These three not only play baseball together at Center Township and Beaver Valley, but outside of baseball they are great friends and are always swimming and hanging out at each other's houses. That is what makes the bond these three have special.”

Their tireless work at the game bonds them as well.

“These three are always smiling when they're on a baseball field,” Smith said. “They can't get enough of it. You can tell they're going to be fantastic athletes at this sport for a long time.”