Don't stop believin'.

The 1995 Seneca Valley baseball team certainly did not and it yielded the first state championship in program history.

After a 3-5 start, the Raiders won 17 of their final 19 games, defeating Williamsport in the PIAA Class AAA title game at Harrisburg's Riverside Stadium.

The entire team was inducted into the SV Sports Hall of Fame Sept. 13.

Head coach Dave Florie led the 1994 Raiders to the WPIAL title, but just two starters — pitcher Brent Ruby and catcher Tony Felt — returned the following season.

“Realistically, you have just two starters back and .500 would have been a good season for us,” Florie said.

SV struggled to start the season and faced a must-win game against Butler in its ninth contest.

The Raiders trailed the Golden Tornado 4-2, but a five-run sixth inning vaulted SV to a 7-4 victory.

“That's back when only the top two teams from each section made the (WPIAL) playoffs,” said Florie. “A loss to Butler more or less would have done us in. But from that point on, the kids gained more and more confidence. It even spilled over into our practices.”

“We didn't know at that point that we'd end up winning the state title,” said second baseman/pitcher Shon Norris. “But we knew we had a good team and felt we could win games.

“When we went on that run, the players coming up with the big plays changed every game. That made it really fun.”

The Raiders did qualify for the district playoffs, where they fell to eventual champion North Catholic in the semifinals. Again, the Raiders had to regroup.

They succeeded in avenging their district playoff loss by crushing North Catholic 10-2 in the state semifinals.

“The kids stayed focused and were very, very confident entering the state title game,” said Florie. “Not cocky, but confident.”

Felt recalls a moment shortly before the game against Williamsport began.

“Most of us were loose and relaxed, but then we go out to warm up before the game,” he said. “I think that's when we realized where we were and it was a bit nerve-wracking.

“Coach Florie used to end the warm-up with a pop-out to the catcher. I had never dropped one, but I dropped that one. I became very upset and had some choice words for myself. Coach Florie came over and calmed me down the best he could.”

Felt and the Raiders relaxed enough to score four runs in the first inning to put the Millionaires on the ropes.

Another lasting memory was how the Raiders' unexpected season concluded in an unusual manner.

Following starter Todd Raithel, Norris took the mound in the fifth inning. By the seventh frame, he was working with a 7-3 lead. Williamsport had a runner at second base with two outs.

“I think he (the baserunner) thought he was timing my rhythm, so I mixed it up a bit,” Norris said. “I came set and turned my head toward (the plate), but then I looked back at second base and he took off for third. I just stepped off and threw over there and he was tagged out.”

Jubilation from the Raiders' dugout ensued and Florie was soon hoisted on his players' shoulders, with the state championship trophy in hand.

“It's well-deserved,” said Florie of the Hall of Fame honor. “It was a very unique team. What they did was amazing.”

Four individuals were also inducted. They include:

Jim Harshaw (Class of 1994): Compiled a varsity wrestling record of 96-19, winning three section titles (1992-94) and a WPIAL title as a senior. Also competed in USA Wrestling events and won the Northeast Regional Championship at age 16, earning him a spot on the U.S. National Team, for which he traveled to Turkey. Attended the University of Virginia, where he won three straight Atlantic Coast Conference titles (1997-99) and was named an All-American after placing eighth in the country his senior year.

Kristen Cheman (2000): Became the first female athlete in Seneca Valley history to earn 12 varsity letters, accomplishing the feat in cross country, swimming and track. Was part of SV's 4x800 relay team that broke the school record in 1999 (9:47.9). Helped the Raiders' swim team win a section title in 2000. Went on to compete in all three sports at Allegheny College in Meadville.

Peet Poillon (2005): With the aid of his father, Neil, helped to start the boys lacrosse program at Seneca Valley. Scored a WPSLA-record 410 career goals for the Raiders. Starred for three college teams — Howard County (Md.) Community College, Ohio State and University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Has played Major League Lacrosse since 2009 and was named the league's most improved player in 2010. Helped the Chesapeake Bayhawks win the MLL championship that same year. Was head coach of Seneca Valley's varsity boys team 2011-12, leading the Raiders to their first WPIAL title in 2012.

Terry Henry (Coach/Athletic Director): Was head coach of Seneca Valley's varsity football team 1984-95 and compiled a record of 74-48-4. Took the Raiders to the WPIAL playoffs the first three times in their history (1989, 1991 and 1995), including the district title game in 1989. Was SV's athletic director until 2004 and was influential in many improvements made to on-campus facilities.