Gallery by Heather Belcher
Friday night at Thomas F. Parham Field, Oak Hill appeared to be primed for the Class AAA Region 3, Section 2 title heading into its clash with Beckley.
The Red Devils needed just one win to secure the crown and had their ace, and Beckley nemesis, Jayden McClain stepping on the rubber.
Amidst the intense drama between the two longtime rivals, Beckley freshman hurler Drew Gallaher stole the show.
Pitching a much-needed complete game, Gallaher out-dueled the veteran McClain in a 6-2 win.
The win for the Flying Eagles forces a deciding game Saturday back in Beckley at 6:30 p.m.
After dropping the tournament opener to Oak Hill Tuesday, Beckley battled back through two elimination games to setup the rematch with the Red Devils. The Flying Eagles knocked off Princeton Wednesday before dispatching No. 1 seed Greenbrier East Thursday in Fairlea.
In the win-or-go home scenario, Beckley head coach Michael McKinney had no reservations about giving the ball to Gallaher.
“There is a lot of scrap in them. They are a young team, but we went up to East last night and did the job. Then we came back and got this win. I am really proud of them,” McKinney said. “Drew is 8-0 on the season and for a freshman, that is pretty impressive. He has some big wins for us.”
While it was a moment that could have been too big for a freshman, Gallaher was ready to take the ball.
“I found out yesterday after the win that I was pitching today. It was a good win yesterday. I came in today and just tried to pitch to contact and my field did the rest,” Gallaher said. “I was feeling good. Ever since warming up in the bullpen, everything was working. I felt good about my team. I always believe in my team.”
Although he was ready to go on the first pitch, a lead-off walk could have led to early problems.
Gallaher never flinched.
“I always pride myself in keeping my cool and I knew I needed to work through it,” Gallaher said.
A pop out in foul ground gathered in by catcher Gage Price preceded the first strikeout of the night for the Beckley pitcher.
A solid play at third base by Maddex Sims on a ground ball went for the third out and Beckley proceeded to do work at the plate.
“We came out hitting the ball,” McKinney said. “We wanted to be aggressive. It is finally starting to fall our way a little bit.”
Sims’ ground ball to start the Beckley first could not be handled on the infield and the inning went south from there for the visitors.
“I thought Jay came out a little flat. He seemed more anxious than anything,” Oak Hill head coach Chris Hendrick said. “He couldn’t find the zone. I went out and talked to him there in the first inning when he loaded the bases up. We get a ground ball that kind of got to him when we booted it. The he walked the next two to start the game.”
Handed a golden opportunity early, the Flying Eagles took full advantage.
Sacrifice flies from Gage Price and Gallaher two batters later gave Beckley a 2-0 lead.
Brady Williams singled home the third run of the inning prior to Blake Nixon racing home on a wild pitch, capping the four-run first inning.
Having owned Beckley in three starts this year where he allowed just one run, Friday was far from a typical outing for the Oak Hill ace.
“I think he threw 38 pitches in the first inning. He may have that going into the third inning (normally),” Hendrick said. “I don’t think he has ever given up four runs to anybody, let alone Woodrow. He gave up four and he got down. One inning shouldn’t beat you, but it did today.”
Oak Hill scored a run in the second frame on a single from Saylem Blake to score Connor Smith who hit a lead-off double.
Gallaher never waivered and did not allow Oak Hill any closer the rest of the way, with a little help from his teammates.
Beckley answered the Oak Hill run in the bottom of the inning when Ty Evans hit a one-out double and scored on a two-out single from Price.
“Our freshman have really stepped up this year. Drew and Brady both, along with Gage have stepped up huge for us,” McKinney said. “I can’t say enough about Drew’s work ethic and his command. He doesn’t get rattled. He is a good kid.”
Owen Grose had an RBI-single in the third inning, but overall, Oak Hill could never find the sticks against Gallaher who surrendered just six hits on the night.
“I thought Mike and them did well putting Gallaher up there. He had us off-balance and we couldn’t make the adjustments,” Hendrick said. “When he was throwing that little curve, it was hitting in front of them and they were swinging at it. He pitched really well.”
The final Beckley run came in the fourth inning on a single from Chase Tolliver to score Sims.
“That is why it is so important in tournaments to be in that driver’s seat. When you have an off-day, you have one to fall back on,” Hendrick said. “I told them tomorrow night could be our last game playing together, so let’s finish strong.”
While it could be perceived that Beckley is now the team with the momentum, McKinney had a simple message for his players.
“We still have a job to do tomorrow,” McKinney said. “We will have (game one starter) Brady (Williams) back on the mound again tomorrow. He is available. Actually we have everyone available except Drew. We will be alright tomorrow. We just have to come out and hit the ball.”
