VISALIA — Twenty-seven hours before Thursday night’s CIF Central Section Division 2 championship baseball game, nine Bakersfield Christian High seniors each expressed confidence and envisioned how great it was going to feel when it ended.

It wasn’t cocky confidence; it was maturity from four-year players who knew the opportunity that was in front of them, knew their time together as a team at this level was short and knew it was up to them to lead the way. They sought a celebratory dogpile, the chance to hold up the championship plaque and share the moment with family, friends, teammates and fans.