Wall picks up all-around win over Gateway Prep

It’s not uncommon to see pitchers have some of their best outings of the year when the lights shine the brightest.  For Wall starter Ryan Gully, it was one of those nights.  The sophomore tossed all seven innings of his team’s 5-1 victory over Gateway Prep in the state semifinals from the Dell Diamond on Wednesday night.

“What a performance on the mound by Gully and what a performance by our hitters at the plate,” said Wall head coach Jason Schniers following the win.  “We had great at-bats.  It was a good team win.”

There is no arguing that it was an all-round team win, as the Hawks pounded out 10 hits from 7 different players did not make an error behind Gully’s stellar start on the mound.  Gully himself struck out the first three batters of the game and finished with a total of 15 on the night.  In the beginning, it was the heat that kept the Gators off balance.

“In the beginning it was the fastball,” said Gully.  “They couldn’t catch up to it, but then the second time around, they started picking up on it.  I had to move on to the secondary pitches.”

That was the case when Gateway got their first run in the fifth, but the full arsenal of pitches was too much to overcome on this night as the door was quickly shut.  It’s those types of moments that the sophomore seems to thrive in.

“I love it,” said Gully.  “It is such a great feeling being out there and having all the eyes on you.  It’s great.  For us being the first ones to get to state and now getting to play for a state championship, there’s not a better feeling in the world.”

On the offensive side, some of the bigger at-bats came from the bottom half of the order, as right fielder Gage Weishuhn and designated hitter Will Brown were each 2-3.  Weishuhn scored 2 runs while Brown had a big RBI double to the left field wall, putting the Hawks up 3-0 in the fourth.

“I just told my assistant coaches that I don’t know if anyone had any bigger at-bats than Gage,” said Schniers.  “He had a single and two or three walks.  He was patient at the plate and was a catalyst for the bottom of our order.  9-hole hitter Will Brown had a big double and it carries over to the top of the lineup.”

Gateway Prep started Steven Vejil.  The senior gave it everything he had, going the first 6 innings before giving way to four other of his Gator teammates to finish it off.  Vejil scattered 10 hits but only gave up 2 earned runs and stuck out 4 in his time on the mound.

It’s Wall’s first trip to the state tournament, and on Thursday they will go for their first ever state title in baseball against Central Heights.

“What a signature win for our program,” said Schniers.  “Never being here and making history is what our kids have been saying is our motto all season.  We are now one win away from being a state champion, which is something every kid dreams of.”

Wall will give it a go at noon on Thursday from the Dell Diamond in Round Rock.  “Just play Wall Hawk baseball,” said Gully.

Winner Pitcher: Ryan Gully (12-0)

Losing Pitcher: Steven Vejil (8-2)