TAMAQUA - Marian's 2016 District 11 baseball championship was years in the making.

The Colts' attempt at another title Friday against Minersville was more like weeks in the making.A year ago, Marian won 20 games and rolled to Schuylkill League and District 11 crowns behind a veteran roster that featured numerous multi-year starters.But the Colts headed into 2017 with just one returning starter, and their lineup against the Miners featured two freshman and two sophomores.But Marian showed that having almost no experience was no problem.The Colts' game-winning run in their 4-3 victory over the Miners was confirmation of that fact.Freshman Aaron Mason's walk-off single scored sophomore Matt Doherty from second base. Mason, who started the year on the JV team, didn't break into the starting lineup until midway through the season. Doherty had only started two games all season before districtsBut one thing the Colt youngsters have proved this season is that no stage is too big."We lost nine of our 10 starters from last year, but our team goals never changed," said Marian coach Tony Radocha. "This year's team has given me a few more gray hairs, because we aren't the type of team that's going to go out and steamroll teams like we did last year."But this group has great team chemistry and great resiliency. You saw an example of that the last two games. We get two walk-off victories to defend our District 11 title. You can't ask for more than that."While most outsiders might be surprised that a team as young and inexperienced as the Colts could find a way to win a Schuylkill League Division 3 title and repeat as district champs, those inside the program aren't."I knew we could repeat after just a couple of our offseason workouts," said Dan Keer, Marian's only returning starter. "I could see that despite losing a lot of people from last year, we still had some really talented players."But more importantly, I could see that everyone wanted to win and was dedicated to making sure it happened."Keer said for the most part he tried to lead by example, but he did try to share some of the experience he gained as a four-year starter with his teammates."I tried to help everyone stay relaxed and play their game," said Keer. "We had a lot of big division games down the stretch and now with league and district playoffs, it's natural to feel a little more pressure."But I tried to tell our younger players to just go out and play baseball and have fun. This is the best time of the year and you need to enjoy it."Radocha also talked about knowing early that this year's team could be special."I knew that we lost an awful lot of talent from the 2016 team," said Radocha. "But it didn't take long for the coaching staff to realize that we had the potential to make this a special season as well."Although Dan (Keer) was our only returning starter, we had a nice nucleus of upperclassman who embraced their turn as starters and have provided tremendous leadership. We also have a great group of freshmen and sophomores who have stepped in and played key roles. It's been a great combination."Mason, whose game-winning hit was one of three he had against the Battlin' Miners, is a great example of how talented underclassman and great senior leadership have blended together for the Colts."It's an amazing feeling to be able to get the hit that gave us a district championship," said Mason. "But I owe a lot of what I've been able to do since moving into the starting lineup to our upperclassmen, especially Anthony Collevechio."Everyone has made me feel comfortable, but Anthony has gone above and beyond. From the time he got hurt and I stepped into his spot in the lineup, he has been right there to encourage me, give me advice, and answer any questions I have. He's been a great example of how even when you're injured, you can have an impact on the team."The 2017 Colts definitely can't match last year's team when it comes to experience, and they probably can't compare to them when it comes to raw talent.But thanks to leadership from seniors like Keer and Collevechio, and contributions from a lot players who never saw an inning of varsity action a year ago, they can match them in one important area - both teams can call themselves District 11 champions.