It's been 10 years since we won our second VISAA state title (2000 was the first)... I always loved this picture from the state title game as you can see the bonds (and fun) this team had... what follows are other thoughts about that season... 1/

In 2009, we unexpectedly reached the state title game and fell short against Paul VI. That team was known for its grit and fight till the end. Somewhere along the line, we became the "Cardiac Cadets" because we seemed to come back in the final three innings a lot... 2/

We lost a lot of talent from the 2009 team. And a lot of heart. Entering the 2010 season, we knew we potentially had a better team top to bottom. What we didn't know was how we would replace the guys who carried us the year before... 3/

Guys like Swoope, Goldberg, Poole and Bushey, who had made impacts for three or four years. The clutch guys like Hatch and Rosen. The guys like Murphy and Reardon who shined as seniors. We knew the 2010 team had talent. But it was a mix of seniors and young heads... 4/

We opened the 2010 season getting hammered 12-3 by Manchester and embarrassed 16-8 by Poquoson. 0-2 right out of the game, and it wasn't a pretty 0-2. After the Poquoson game, in which we made six errors against a very good team, we gathered on the warning track... 5/

Away from the parents, we had a long talk. True, a lot of the team talks were long back then, but this one was LONG. Too long to remember everything. But at the heart of the matter was that we were better than what we were showing. We had work to do, but we could be great. 6/

Maybe that talk helped... a little. We were playing better but limped into halfway point of season at 6-5 after poor showing in Spring Break Tourney. 13-2 L to Lee-Davis, 17-0 W vs Atlee on Day 1. Blew 3-run lead in last inning in 10-9 L to DSF and L 6-3 Hermitage on Day 2. 7/

We then reeled off eight straight wins and started clicking on all cylinders. Joseph and Woods were nearly unhittable, and the offense started to produce from top to bottom. Confidence was building. And then we ran into a buzzsaw... 8/

We recently had moved our game with St. Christopher's to RF&P Park and included a charity fundraiser. As it is now, it was electric that night. We were 14-5, and the Saints were cruising at 18-3. Big crowd, loads of energy and we were up against Campbell Henkel... 9/

We hit a few deep shots, but Campbell Henkel literally was perfect. A perfect game. In that setting. It stunk to lose, but it was an incredible experience. We told our guys... tip your caps, but we'll see them again... next game out, we were shut out by Trinity... 10/

If there was a game that changed things again, it was winning at Prince George 10-9 in 10 innings. We had beaten the Royals earlier that year, and we always felt fortunate to split our season series. So many guys contributed that night. A win vs. James River added fire. 11/

Sometimes, you have to be good, fortunate and lucky to win a state title. Weather played a major factor in the playoffs. Our game with BOC in the first round was moved to Flint Hill because of rain. Neutral field. We were ready. 12/

Kozak, who had never hit a homer, hit his first career dinger in his 100th start. Childress, Woods and Williford also homered as Joseph mowed down a ridiculously-good BOC offense. We led 10-0 before Woodsy got into trouble and BOC put up 5 in a hurry. We moved on... 13/

We were supposed to play the winner of No. 1 STAB/No. 8 Trinity, but their game wasn't played Tuesday or Wednesday because of weather. After STAB played late into Thursday evening, we had an early-morning game with the Saints on Friday. We were rested... 14/

STAB had won 21 straight. We punched first as Kozak hit another homer... his second in two games after zero in his previous 99... go figure! STAB punched back. We went back and forth all game. Hogan and Hipskind tagged and scored on a popup to first and errant throw... 15/

Woodsy hit a massive double after a STAB error. And Woodsy was nails on the mound. He had to endure a couple of unpleasant/encouraging mound visits. Dyer was awesome as always behind the dish... 16/

After the game, we had a talk with the players. Prom was that night, as it was the night before the state final in 2009. We pleaded with the players. And then with their parents... prom is one night for most people, a state title is the rest of your lives... 17/

Because of our early game that Friday and the other state semifinal games, St. Christopher's and PVI started late, really late. The Saints were an out away from clinching a spot in the final when lightning caused a delay. Weather! They resumed the next day. The Saints won. 18/

Henkel was up and down Friday and then closed Saturday. Still, we knew we were facing the best pitcher in the state. It was going to be a grind. We countered with Joseph. The year before, Poole tired quickly in the final on 3 days' rest. We prepared for Joseph to go 3... 19/

Joseph threw a gem to match Henkel pitch for pitch. We had guys in the bullpen all game. We scratched for one, had a great catch from Konvicka in left, and led 1-0 going into the last inning. Dyer was calling an incredible game. I couldn't stand still... 20/

We had one of those innings in the seventh. We put some pressure on with a bunt and manufactured a run. We got a break with a swinging bunt that was misplayed. We put more pressure on. It happened so fast. Five runs, a 6-0 lead with three outs to go... 21/

Williford made a diving catch in right and we could feel it. Joseph ended it with K to cap a two-hit shutout with 9 Ks against a brilliant team. In two playoff starts, Joseph tossed 13 innings with no runs, five hits and 20 strikeouts. 22/

After an up-and-down season, we were state champs! 23/

After our celebration, I was surprised and moved that all of our seniors hopped on my short bus for a loud ride back to Benedictine, where we rang the victory bell late that night, surely waking up a monk or two on our campus. 24/

A lot has happened over the past 10 years. I think of each of these guys and our coaches often. I'm proud of all that they did as Cadets and all they have done since then. It truly was a special group that means the world to me.