Confidence breeds success.

The phrase couldn't have fit the South Fayette baseball team any more appropriately this spring, as the Lions -- fresh off their first postseason appearance in eight years -- anxiously sought a heftier dose of self-assurance, a crucial ingredient needed to push the program to another level.

And with regular-season wins against highly regarded section foes Seton-LaSalle and North Catholic, confidence began to run rampant throughout the Lions roster.

Before they knew it, everybody was affected.

"Once we won a few games against some of the tougher teams in our section, we realized we could probably hang with some of the best teams in the state," junior standout Dillon Haviland said. "At that point, we didn't have any doubt that we'd go far in the playoffs."

All that way to the state championship, that is.

One of the most successful seasons in school history came to an end last Friday, when South Fayette (18-6) was upended by District 3 champion Brandywine Heights (22-4), 4-1, in the PIAA Class AA championship at Blair County Ballpark in Altoona, Pa.

Few, if any, envisioned the Lions season extending to the second weekend of June.

Not after graduating seven seniors.

Not after falling in the preliminary round of the WPIAL playoffs last season.

And certainly not with a horde of talented teams surrounding them, not only in Section 6, but in Class AA overall.

"From being knocked out in the preliminary round to going to the state finals, it wasn't entirely expected," Haviland said. "We knew we had lost a lot of seniors, but we also had a smaller corps of guys that we thought would develop and help us win."

Behind the leadership of second-year coach James Barton, South Fayette -- along with Seton-LaSalle and North Catholic -- shared the section championship. From there, the Lions leaned on a terrific one-two pitching punch of Haviland and senior Zack Fettig en route to a third-place finish in the WPIAL playoffs, earning a spot in the PIAA playoffs. It was there the Lions stormed to the championship game by rolling past their opposition by a 19-4 margin.

"We were confident in ourselves. We felt like underdogs throughout the playoffs, and I think that helped us to a degree," Haviland said.

Unfortunately for South Fayette, it wasn't enough to help them in the PIAA final, as a light-hitting performance -- an Achilles heel throughout the season -- resulted in the Lions only mustering two hits off Brandywine Heights starting pitcher Kyle Stoudt, who pitched a complete game. After falling behind, 1-0, the Lions tied the game in the top of the fifth inning, but Brandywine Heights scored once in the bottom of the fifth and twice in the sixth.

With disappointment replacing confidence, the moments directly following the game's completion weren't an easy pill to swallow for the Lions. But shortly after he and his team received their silver medals, Barton walked with his team to the outfield, wasting little time in letting them know they didn't let down anybody.

"He told us we made it further than any team in South Fayette history and that was something to be proud of," Haviland said. "He was really proud of how hard we worked and how we made the community proud as a whole."

That pride may only be growing, too. The Lions lose five seniors, but they bring back many key contributors, including Haviland, who could be the top returner in the WPIAL. A Duke recruit, the left-hander struck out a staggering 137 in 741/3 innings, while surrendering only 39 hits. In two PIAA playoff wins, Haviland hurled a no-hitter and a two-hitter.

In regards to returning to the state final, Haviland said: "It wouldn't be a surprise if we're in the same situation as we were next year. Hopefully it wasn't a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Hopefully we'll be back again."

With confidence like that, it's no wonder the success of the program has risen so fast.