Former Marian manager Tony Radocha knew how deep his 2016 Class A district championship team was, and his expectations for the 2017 squad were far different.

The Colts lost 12 seniors and nine of 10 starters to graduation from a team that produced a 20-5 record. There certainly was a challenge ahead.

While the 2016 team ran mostly on sheer talent, the 2017 squad ran on grit and determination. It was a road filled with plenty of turns, curves and swerves that resulted in a 15-9 record.

“The 2016 team was the most talented team and unique team I have ever been associated with,” boasted Radocha, who coached for 10 seasons. “Their personalities, composure and belief in themselves was remarkable.

“The 2017 team was a team that was built from the ground up. We just came to the ball field with the mindset of just winning the day.”

That mantra, applied by Radocha every day in his Marian reign, proved to help the Colts defend their district title, this time as Class 2A champions.

With the Colts’ recent district title — their first since 2023 and sixth overall — memories of their consecutive titles still resonate with Radocha and his former players.

Yet, their trek to a second title wasn’t easy.

“In preseason meetings, the goals for the season among the team didn’t change,” recalled Radocha. “It was to win the division, challenge at leagues, win districts, and make it to states. It was a great mindset, and we were excited. Then the roadblocks started.”

For Marian, its 2017 hurdles began early. Two days before Christmas, Ryan Capel, a transfer from Blue Mountain who was expected to help in several areas, was severely injured in a car accident.

“Ryan Capel was coming in with speed, athleticism, pitching experience and could play anywhere on the field,” emphasized Radocha.

“He was told he may never play any sport again, but he soldiered his way through physical therapy, learning to walk again, then run, and was in the starting lineup for Game 1 with some limits physically.”

Even with key returnees all-stater Daniel Keer, along with Jarod Paisley, Max Nolter and Anthony Collevechio, Radocha knew it would be a bumpy path, but he kept the faith.

“We took some lumps to start. We were very streaky, getting everyone on the same page,” noted Radocha. “I remember we had a good ‘team’ win against Bloomsburg early and were actually able to outlast Schuylkill Haven at home. But we would win two, lose one, and so it continued. We played Nativity the second time that year, and it all clicked.”

That win sparked the Colts to a five-game winning streak, clinching the division title in addition to a district berth. During that stretch, the Colts avenged an earlier loss to Shenandoah Valley, and posted a pivotal extra-inning victory over arch-rival Panther Valley to vault them into districts.

Fittingly, with the unpredictable and ironic season script, the Colts lost a wild 7-6 game in the regular-season finale, only to face the Battlin’ Miners three weeks later for the district title.

In a scenario that would be hard to make up, the Colts edged Panther Valley, 3-2, in the semifinals on Keer’s walk-off single, and followed with a 4-3 walk-off victory over Minersville for the crown on Aaron Mason’s single.

Keer, an outfielder who also played at Shepherd University, saw the team fueled by its belief and several key victories.

“We were a very motivated group of guys who were motivated to prove we could win it again,” accentuated Keer, a current Virginia resident who hit .430 with 23 RBIs and went 4-3 with a 3.11 ERA. “We had a couple of big wins against Schuylkill Haven and Panther Valley.

“Those wins gave us the belief that we could beat anybody we matched up against, and propelled us to be back-to-back champions.”

Nolter, a catcher who hit .455 and drove in a team-high 27 runs and later played at Elmira College, witnessed a similar situation.

“Probably the biggest highlight was beating our biggest rival Panther Valley in the eighth inning to head to the district championship,” said Nolter, who currently lives in Ohio. “Then in the district championship Aaron Mason coming up big with a walk-off to win back-to-back championships.”

The Colts took their momentum into the postseason, and opened with a 2-1 win over South Williamsport before their season ended in a heartbreaking 6-5 extra-inning loss to Bellwood-Antis in the next round.

“We went to extra innings and a bad hop to the shortstop allowed them to push a run across,” quipped Radocha. “We couldn’t get a runner past first, and so our unbelievable season ended with a loss.”

Paisley, who went 6-2 with a 2.07 ERA and hit .304 with 13 RBIs, will always remember the tight team bond that produced a laid-back atmosphere.

“I remember the great teammates and coaches, and how they kept everything light and fun and loose while also displaying hard work and commitment every day in practice and games,” said Paisley, who is a JV boys basketball coach at Marian. “We were very unselfish teammates and had great team chemistry, wanting each other to do well, which is something you can’t quantify and really propelled us to great heights.

“We supported each other no matter if you were playing a lot, got the winning hit, or pitched a great game.

“The championship celebration on the field against Minersville is something I’ll never forget.”

Collevechio, an infielder who was converted to center field and eventual designated hitter, drove in seven runs despite battling a back injury. He also was impressed with his team’s stick-to-itiveness.

“What stands out to me the most that season was how together the team was,” remembered Collevechio, who lives in Summit Hill. “It didn’t matter if you were a freshman or a senior. All of us got along, wanted each other to succeed, and were focused on accomplishing our team goals.

“Everyone embraced their roles, supported each other, and was focused on winning. From players to head coach Tony Radocha to our athletic trainer Marc Gallagher to our team managers, there was a bond that you don’t really get to have anywhere else.”

Paisley still embraces the opportunity to keep his memories alive.

“I value more the relationships that I made with my teammates and coaches,” highlighted Paisley. “I still talk to them today and the memories we created on and off the field.”

Overall, Radocha and his troops had a memorable ride they soon won’t forget.

“Sadly, my time there did not have the Hollywood ending that we hoped to have,” reminisced Radocha. “That doesn’t diminish the enjoyment and pride the team and I had putting on the Blue and Gold.”