Dale Checketts will never forget his first season as Bishop Canevin's varsity baseball coach, for several reasons.

The pitching duel featuring senior Brian Billigen against Seton-LaSalle in the WPIAL Class AA semifinals, which led to a 2-1 victory for the Crusaders, their first over the Rebels. Six days later, in the championship game, Canevin came within 180 feet of tying the game against Beaver Area, a game the Crusaders eventually lost, 4-3.

Or perhaps it is something very few observers realize: The team won 11 of its last 12 games to reach the championship at CONSOL Energy Park in Washington, Pa.

Or perhaps it is something very few observers realize: The team won 11 of its last 12 games to reach the championship at CONSOL Energy Park in Washington, Pa.

"A lot of people don't realize that," Checketts said.

Still, Canevin finished 13-8 (10-4 conference) heading into the PIAA playoffs. The Crusaders did it without the help of several starters at the beginning of the season, due to the basketball playoffs that led to losses in five of their first six games.

Some of the opponents that defeated Canevin at the beginning of the season were Class AAA, including West Allegheny (2-1) and South Park (7-5). Still, Checketts said he was not particularly bothered by the losses because he was not playing with his entire team.

"And we try to schedule tough opponents early," he said. "Whether we win or lose those games, I think it's important for the players to get a taste of what it's like to play a tougher opponent, because you never know what you might be playing later in the season (during the playoffs) if you get there."

Checketts also knew he was playing without five players, including three starters. This included the starting center fielder and ace pitcher Billigen, who has signed a letter of intent to play at Cornell.

This, however, did not bother Checketts.

"The fact the (basketball team) was deep in the playoffs I thought was a good thing, because I thought those kids would bring that experience to the baseball team. It eventually worked out that way."

One of the lowlights, Checketts said, was the 9-6 loss to South Fayette in April. Canevin had a 6-1 lead, "but we blew it."

Two games later, the Crusaders were playing Seton-LaSalle. Canevin had a 5-4 lead in the top of seventh. An error opened the door for the Rebels to come back. Arguably Canevin's biggest rival, Seton-LaSalle won the game, 7-5.

"So really, we could have beat them the first time we played them," Checketts said.

Checketts took over for Red Locke, the 19-year coach at Canevin. Checketts was an assistant under Locke for two years and played for him for four years.

"The thing I learned from him was techniques and fundamentals...his knowledge of the game of baseball was unbelievable."

Next year's group will be missing Billigen, shortstop Steve Mackin, rightfielder Nick Bayer and Greg Jones. Also, some key role players will be gone, Checketts said.

"But the rest of the infield remains, and we have some younger ball players in our system that we feel can come up and contribute."