June 26 - We had 10 coaches from our coverage area this spring lead their teams to appearances in public or private school state tournaments. Four advanced to state championship games, and one - Chantilly's Kevin Ford - led his team to a state title.
The magazine asked them to put into their words what their team and respective postseason runs meant to them.
Here is what they had to say:
Jay Burkhart, Battlefield: "The day was awesome for Battlefield and I was proud to represent Prince William County. We have some really talented baseball players in this area and it showed having played Hylton in the State semis. It was great to represent like past teams from PWC. I thought our boys played exceptional all year and deserved to be in the title game. The pitching continued to be strong and some timely hitting in the long ball, helped in the run to play for the title. This was a special group and will truly miss them on and off the field. These kids competed to the end and I hope that it gave the younger players a taste and want to get back again. I believe this will drive us to get back and win it the next time.”
Mike Covington, Potomac: “We had a great group of kids who worked very hard every day. They loved to practice and played extremely hard, maximizing their talent. While we were limited offensively, our defense as a team may have been the best I’ve ever had. We had guys step up to replace injured players ie Brandon Caycedo and have an unbelievable season. Guys changed to new positions also due to injuries and found new homes for the future, ie. Brandon ‘Scrappy’ Cleveland. Overall, a great year even though we didn't finish the job.”
Eric Crozier, Potomac School: “This year's group was young and scrappy with experience. Our six seniors did a great job of keeping everyone together and we worked hard day in and day out. [The] season started out tough, taking big losses to both Paul VI and Collegiate, but we knew there would be some growing pains with the mix of young guys. Last year's team went 16-5 and had a senior at just about every position, so there were some big shoes to fill. One thing about this team was their resilience all year, bouncing back after a tough loss. Then came the call that said we were in [the state tournament]. Though the game vs. PVI didn't go as planned, I was very proud of how they competed and by winning our [MAC Conference semifinal game that same day], we secured a spot in the conference finals for the second year in a row. Our game vs. Maret was a classic! A pitcher’s duel the that eventually led to a walk-off single by Ryan McAndrews, one of our quietest senior leaders. This was a season to remember, with the birth of the Crozier twins, only losing one game at home, and winning the conference tournament for a second year in a row.”
Kevin Ford, Chantilly: “This group of players has continually found a way to win and compiled the best record and first state championship in school history. This team and what they have accomplished has meant a lot to many people affiliated with our program and community. I was extremely proud to be a part of getting Chantilly baseball to where we are today.”
Craig Lopez, Mountain View: “This year’s group of players have been particularly special to me. Before they got to high school, I was told about this group of players coming up and the impact they would likely make on the Mountain View program. They have exceeded every expectation that I’ve had. They helped bring the team from a 10-10 record as freshmen to a 21-5 record as seniors. They were the first Mountain View baseball team to make the regional tournament last year and then this year were the first region champions and state runners-up. Before the season ever started several had already broken into the top ten in career stats in several categories and as we finish compiling this year’s stats, I’m certain that they will be at the top of many categories. They have been leaders on and off the field and have set the standard for future Wildcat teams. They have made this year one of the most memorable in my 25 years of coaching high school baseball and they will be greatly missed.”
Jeff Nolan, Paul VI Catholic: “This being my final season and given my feelings about our senior class, which had worked so hard for the last four years, and our entire team, getting into the state tournament was a definite goal. For the school, it marked the 13th consecutive year making it into the tournament, which was something we set as a yearly goal. We had a team that was fun to be around, every day, and which had great leadership and desire, one which worked very hard. It was probably the most fun I have had in my coaching career, so I probably enjoyed each day more than I ever have and appreciated both our players and what each day brought a bit more than ever before. For me, advancing to our seventh state championship game appearance in last 14 years was particularly special. For me, it brought back the many memories associated our first visits to Shepherd Stadium in 2004 and all the seasons in between, the many great young men I have had the privilege to coach, the great relationships formed, and how lucky and proud I feel about it all.”
Kyle Padgett, Bishop O’Connell: “The season came with much anticipation and excitement for the Bishop O’Connell baseball team. A team that featured 11 seniors, 6 of which were committed to play college baseball, meant high expectations and a wealth of experience. Additionally, this was my fourth year as the head coach at O’Connell, and the first time I had a group of players who had been involved exclusively with the program under my leadership. We had accomplished quite a bit as a group in terms of re-establishing O’Connell baseball to a respected program that could compete for championships, but we hadn’t finished the job, and this was the club that was going to push us over that hump. It’s not all about the baseball and you can’t obsess over results. It can’t be all about the baseball, or you’re in this for all the wrong reasons, and, in our program, we preach “the process”. The process of playing winning baseball, of taking care of all the “little details”, of doing things the right way all the time. While the final two weeks of our season were filled with frustration, the majority of the year and the previous four years had been filled with great baseball played by groups of great young men that we were extremely proud of as a coaching staff. I have to thank what I believe to be as great of a baseball coaching staff you’ll find anywhere and a group that has now established an element of continuity that is very rare at the high school level. I would also like to thank our players, especially our departing seniors as they head for great things on the diamond and in life. I love that I have the opportunity to work with you young men every day and I’m already excited for next spring as I write this. Also, I have to say thank you and best of luck to Jeff Nolan as he rides off into the sunset from his position as head baseball coach at Paul VI. The O’Connell/PVI rivalry is a very fun one and Jeff and his clubs have been nothing but first class and competitive as can be in our four years filling out lineup cards across from one another. Thank you Jeff and best of luck with whatever comes down the road.”
Jason Ritenour, C.D. Hylton: “I am very proud of this group. This group set a goal to be one of the final four teams playing. We were blessed with a group of returning players that had a couple of years of varsity experience and knew what it would take to get us where we wanted to be. We knew our pitching and defense would be our strengths. Our core three of [Fox] Semones, [Ryan] Billy, and [Trey] Shepard carried the workload and turned in excellent performances down the stretch. Winning three road games against three high-quality programs during the regional tournament was a great accomplishment. Even though we came up short against a great Battlefield team, our kids battled and played hard. As a coach, that is all you can ask for. Very enjoyable season and honored to coach this group.”
Ty Thorpe, Kettle Run: “This team achieved new heights in our program. We have been to the regional semifinals five times and had come up empty each time. Being part of the state tournament was an experience these guys will never forget.”
Note: Flint Hill coach Tom Verbanic did not respond to our request, and the magazine will update this story should he submit an entry.
Photo of Paul VI Catholic's Jeff Nolan courtesy of Paul VI Baseball, and of Chantilly's Kevin Ford and Battlefield's Jay Burkhart by Fred Ingham.
