JACKSON TWP — Before the 2007 Seneca Valley baseball team could go on to achieve greatness, it had to pick itself up from a major disappointment.

The Raiders were defeated in the WPIAL semifinals that season by Bethel Park, 12-4, in eight innings. It was only the second loss of the year for Seneca Valley, but forced the team to focus on a new goal.

“After that loss, I asked the players, 'With as well as we have played this season, is this how you want it to end? Or do you want to restart this journey, one game at a time?,'” said veteran Seneca Valley coach Eric Semega.

The Raiders proceeded to win five consecutive games to capture the Quad-A state championship. The entire team will be honored Saturday with induction into the Seneca Valley Sports Hall of Fame.

“Everybody on that team got along and it was a big reason why they were able to achieve something big,” said Semega. “I'm glad that they are being recognized for it.”

“We were all really close,” said Kyle Helisek, a junior pitcher that season. “We had a lot of fun off the field and it translated to fun on the field.”

Before the Raiders could begin play in the PIAA tournament, they first had to win the WPIAL consolation game against an 18-2 Plum squad. It was a contest that pitted, in Semega's opinion, “the two best teams in the WPIAL.”

The Raiders prevailed, 6-5, to claim the district's third and final entry into state play.

Andrew Fornadel and Shaine Patsilevas both hit home runs in the victory.

“We didn't hit the ball well at all that season and had won a lot of low-scoring games,” said Semega. “That Plum game was the start of our hitting picking up. We started to feel more comfortable at the plate.”

All season long, Seneca Valley featured a great 1-2 punch on the mound with Cory Mazzoni and Helisek.

“Both of them were not looking to strike people out,” said Semega. “They were pitching to contact because they knew that if a ball was put in play, our defense was incredible that season.”

Ken Walrond was a junior that season and was the team's starting shortstop.

“Mike Eonta and Shaine Patsilevas played second base for us,” he said. “Jim Burry was in center field and was blazing fast. We were really strong up the middle, had a lot of great athletes and made a lot of plays,” he said. “We didn't give teams many extra outs.”

The combination of great pitching and defense led to the Raiders allowing just 41 runs in 19 regular-season games and claiming a section title with a 12-0 record.

“Cory had dominant stuff and he trusted me to call the game,” said Semega. “Not once did he ever question a pitch that I called. I still commend him for that.

“Kyle was very competitive and I let him call his own game. Other than Zach Jackson (SV Class of 2001) for two games, Kyle is the only pitcher I've ever let do that. He knew his change-up was his out-pitch and he could set it up.”

The chemistry between Helisek and his battery mate played a key role in the former's success.

“Ryan Turner was my catcher,” he said. “We were on the same page and I didn't worry about the hitters. I just threw my pitches.”

Mazzoni and Helisek were both at the top of their game in the state playoffs.

Helisek, a left-hander, totaled a combined 11 strikeouts and just one walk in wins over Cathedral Prep (13-3) and State College (8-3) in the first round and semifinals, respectively. Mazzoni fanned seven in a 5-2 quarterfinal victory against Peters Township.

In the state final in Altoona, the latter was matched against Souderton's Kyle Greenwalt, who had recently been selected by the Houston Astros in Major League Baseball's amateur draft.

Both pitchers were masterful, but Greenwalt reached his innings limit after seven innings with the game still scoreless.

With the game tied 1-1 in the ninth inning, the Raiders feasted on three Souderton relievers, scoring eight runs to take a 9-1 lead, the final margin of victory.

Walrond delivered the biggest single blow, a bases-clearing double.

But before SV's offense could break out, Mazzoni had to escape a major jam in the bottom of the eighth, facing the bases loaded and just one out.

Mazzoni had a dominant fastball, which reached the low-90s, but that played right to Souderton's strength.

“They were a fastball-hitting team,” said Semega. “In that game, he pitched differently than he had all season. He worked backwards, throwing a lot of off-speed and breaking stuff early in the count. In that eighth inning, I wasn't going to let Souderton sit and rip, so I had Cory throw curve after curve. But with the bases loaded and the score tied, a wild pitch would have ended the game and (catcher) Matt Johnson blocked everything.”

Mazzoni induced back-to-back fielder's choices, setting the stage for SV's offensive explosion. His ability to remain calm in such a pressure-packed situation undoubtedly helped him, and the Raiders, prevail.

“I'm very competitive, but I've always been able to keep a level head,” said Mazzoni. “I don't get too high or too low. I think I got that from my parents.”

The memories from that season, especially the team's seven playoff games, are still vivid in Semega's mind.

“I remember most how much that group played as a team and how much it meant to them to support each other to reach a common goal,” he said.

“It was such a special time,” said Walrond. “It's going to be great to have an excuse to relive those memories with those guys in one place.”

Seneca Valley’s 2007 baseball team went 22-2 and captured the PIAA Class AAAA championship. The entire squad will be inducted into the Seneca Valley Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday. Team members include:Eric Harvey, Brandon Durbin, Mike Eonta, Phil Double, Shaine Patsilevas, Eric Aschley, Kenny Walrond, Matt Johnson, Andrew Fornadel, Kevin Rohm, Jim Burry, Tyler Bream, Cory Mazzoni, Gabe Grinder, Kyle Helisek, Dan Jergel, Ryan TurnerHead Coach: Eric SemegaAssistants: Tom Magill, Greg Hayward, Mark Bauman