HIGH SCHOOL: Virginia High pitcher Ollie Foy spoils opening night at Richlands field (copy)
Fans gather at the new Richlands baseball field for the Blue Tornados first home game on their new field.
Virginia High's Ollie Foy throws a pitch against Richlands on Thursday evening.
Virginia High's Ryder Estes tags Richlands' Collin Adkins at second base during the Bearcats 4-1 win.
Richlands Parker Ryder throws a pitch against Virginia High on Thursday evening.
Virginia High's Nixon Nowiski tags Richlands runner Andrew Boyd during their game on Thursday evening.
Virginia High's Calloway Jordan gets the out on Richlands runner Andrew Boyd Thursday evening.
Richlands Collin Adkins swings for a hit in the 7th inning against Virginia High.
Richlands' Gage Hylton dive across home plate for the Blue Tornados solo run against Virginia High.
Virginia High's Ollie Foy slides into second base safe from Richlands' Blake Fuller's tag.
RICHLANDS, Va. – It was an historic evening for the Richlands High School baseball program, but the storyline was all about Ollie.
Six-foot senior left-hander Ollie Foy starred on offense and defense as the Virginia High Bearcats posted a 4-1 victory over the Blue Tornado in a Southwest District showdown.
A large crowd, including various community and school officials, showed for the first baseball game on the Richlands campus in 30 years. The facility, located behind Richlands Elementary, was five years in the making and includes lights.
Foy wasn’t distracted by the pre-game speeches and buzz.
“I knew Richlands was going to be excited and eager to get a win for their first game here,” Foy said. “I wanted to shut that down.”
The strategy for Foy focused on mental toughness and execution.
“I tried to tune out everything and keep to my plan of throwing to the mitt,” Foy said. “I trusted my catcher, pitching coach and defense.”
Foy allowed five hits and one walk while striking six. Of the 76 total pitches for Foy, 58 were strikes.
“I feel like I could have done a lot more,” Foy said. “I didn’t have great command of my curveball until late, so I was just trying to get outs.”
In addition to his mound work, Foy helped himself with a single and run-scoring double from the leadoff role. Foy is hitting over .340 on the season.
“This is my last year hitting, so I want to get after it,” Foy said.
The Bearcats crafted a three-run rally in the second inning.
Following a line single to center field by senior E.J. Hucks, senior Calloway Jordan blasted a double. Sophomore Nixon Nowiski drove home the first run on a safety squeeze bunt, while Jordan later scored after the catcher threw to second on a steal attempt by sophomore Jacoby Mullins.
The third run was supplied by Mullins, who hustled home on an infield single from junior Ryder Estes.
Hucks delivered another line single in the sixth inning.
The star for Richlands was Parker Ryder. A junior right-hander with an effective curveball, Ryder recorded nine strikeouts en route to a six-hitter.
“Parker pitched a great game,” Richlands coach Ben Brown said. ‘We just made a couple mistakes in the field that allowed (Virginia High) to score early.”
Brown and his staff devoted countless hours to the new playing facility, including an all-day shift on Thursday.
“It’s great to be on our home field,” Brown said. “I was worried that it would be hard for the guys to focus with everything going on around them, but we handled that fine.”
Brown said there are long range plans for additions such as a press box, concession stand, locker room and permanent seating.
Richlands (4-5, 1-1) scored its lone run in the first inning.
Gage Hylton, who entered the night with a .577 batting average, led off with a single. After senior Andrew Boyd reached on an infield single to shortstop , Hylton scored on a throwing error.
Foy allowed just three hits the remainder of the game.
“We knew what to expect,” Brown said. “(Foy) is a talented pitcher who has had a very good start to the season. We got a few hits, but we couldn’t string anything together. “
Bradley Fuller paced the Blues with two singles.
The starting lineup for Richlands features six seniors, including five who have started all four years.
“This is an experienced group with high hopes,” Brown said. “I’m glad to get this first night out of the way. If anyone had seen this field in February, it would have been hard to imagine a game being played out here.
“A lot of people from the town and community have helped us reach this point. There is still a lot of work to be done, but we’re grateful and excited.’”
VHS coach Adam Moore said he had confidence that Foy could master the big-game stage.
“After that rocky start in the first inning, Ollie settled down and did the job,” Moore said. “When Ollie is on the mound, there is always a chance to win. And Ollie can also the swing the bat.”
This is fourth year on the varsity for Foy.
“Ollis is our ace for a reason, and I’m super proud of him,” Moore said. “I was also encouraged by our defense.”
Center fielder Connor Presley made two running catches, while Nowiski was solid at third base.
VHS (4-6, 2-1) relies on three senior starters along with two juniors, two sophomores and three freshmen.
“Our young guys are very talented. It’s just a matter of handling the little things and facing adversity,” Moore said.
Foy has already confirmed his college plans to play at Ferrum
“It gives me a lot of freedom knowing that I have a home for next season,” Foy said. “I feel at ease and I’m just trying to have fun with my teammates now.”
Virginia High 030 000 1-4 6 1
Richlands 100 000 0-1 5 1
Foy and Hucks. Ryder and Gillespie. W – Foy. L-Ryder. HR – none.
agregory@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Greg_BHCSports | (276) 645-2544
