The Pope Paul VI Panthers claimed the 2004 Division I Virginia Independent Schools Baseball Championship with an impressive 5-0 shutout of the Bishop O'Connell Knights. The game was played May 29 at Shepherd Stadium in Colonial Heights.

The Panthers finished their championship season with an overall record of 17-12. The Knights finished their runners-ups season with an overall record of 18-4.

The Knights, coached by Rick Hart, surprised a number of people by finishing first in the WCAC "South" Division with an overall conference record of 11-2. They narrowly lost to St. John’s in the WCAC semi-finals to conclude the WCAC season with an impressive 12-3 record.

Paul VI, coached by Billy Emerson (second season), didn't waste a lot of time getting on the scoreboard in the state championship game.

"We were very focused for this game. Our team goal was to win this championship. Our players all touched the trophy as they walked into the stadium," said Emerson.

The "Black and Gold" generated the game winning offense in the top of the first inning when Will Naylor belted a stand up double off the left field wall and T.J. Guinan hit a home run over the left center field fence.

"It was a fastball about stomach level, a little bit inside," said Guinan.

Following Guinan's blast, PVI eventually stranded three runners as the top of the first inning concluded. Nonetheless, the Panthers had all the runs they needed to win their first V.I.S. championship since 1994.

"We might have taken Paul VI a little too lightly today," said O'Connell standout center fielder Jon Weisloe.

"We knew coming in that O'Connell's pitching and O'Connell's defense was very good. Our coaching staff told the players to be aggressive in the batter’s box. We knew this was going to be a battle. We told the kids that the first pitch that you see [that you can put the bat on] swing at it," said Emerson.

O'Connell's Rob Glorioso hit a double, but the outfielder was stranded on base in the bottom of the first, and PVI continued to lead 2-0.

Paul VI scored two more runs in the top of the second to take a 4-0 lead. Trey McMenamin hit a single to right and Will Naylor followed with an infield single.

With runners on first and second, Alex Gregory drilled a one-hop double to deep center field which scored McMenamin and Naylor.

O'Connell's Jared Laxton collected the Knight’s second hit of the game in the bottom of the second, but the infielder was eventually stranded on base - with the Panthers in control 4-0.

PVI notched its final run of game in the top of the third inning when Jose Hererra drew a walk and Trey McMenamin belted a long double off the right field wall which scored Hererra. "It was a fastball - a little bit high and a little bit inside" said right fielder McMenamin.

PVI’s J.T. Richardson put down O'Connell in order in the third. The junior gave up singles to Kevin Zdancewicz and Kevin Crum in the bottom of the fourth but he retired the next three batters in order. He was helped tremendously by McMenamin who made a spectacular diving catch in right field for out number two.

Richardson retired O'Connell in order in the bottom of the fifth and relied on his brilliant infield defense to get the Panthers out of a jam in the bottom of the sixth inning by turning a double play.

With bases loaded and one out in the Knights sixth, Richardson got Byron Myers to hit a grounder to second. Panther second baseman Will Naylor flipped the ball to shortstop Scott Eastment for out number two at second base. Eastment then rifled the ball to first baseman Ryne Bromley for out number three.

Richardson allowed singles to right fielder/pitcher Matt Walls (with one out) and to Rob Glorioso (with two outs) in the bottom of the seventh but the junior struck out the last O’Connell batter to end the contest and the Panther celebration was on.

Matt Walls, O'Connell's starting pitcher, took the loss, his first of the season. Reliever Mike Laird recorded the final 13 Panther outs without allowing a run. "We just didn't catch a whole lot of breaks today," said Crum.

"It has been a successful season," said Hart. "I take the blame for not having our kids prepared today. I want to congratulate Billy [Emerson] and his kids. They came ready to play. I have greatly enjoyed this group of kids this season. They have done everything that I have asked them to do."