BRISTOL, Va. – Jared Tate has found a home at DeVault Stadium.
On Thursday, the 6-foot-3 junior transfer from Sullivan East led Virginia High to a drama-soaked victory over Sullivan Central with a game-winning home run in the seventh inning.
Tate starred again Friday, striking out nine over five innings as the Bearcats stopped Richlands, 6-3, in a non-district game.
“I love it here,” Tate said. “We’ve got great team chemistry.”
The Bearcats are coming off a rare losing season. Meanwhile, Richlands posted a 23-1 record en route to Region IV semifinals in 2008.
Virginia High, which has just three seniors, scored six runs in the first two innings against a pair of sophomore pitchers Friday. Tate and junior reliever Tyler Arnett combined to hold the Blue Tornado (2-1) to six hits. Arnett recorded three strikeouts.
VHS coach Mark Daniels been delighted with the emergence of Tate, whose home run blast on Thursday ripped a chunk from the outfield wall at DeVault.
“Jared has brought a lot to our team,” Daniels said. “He didn’t have his good stuff in this game, but he’s a competitor and kept battling.”
Tate, who earned four decisions as a pitcher at East last season, said his move to VHS centered on the big picture.
“I want to get to the next level in baseball, and the player development is awesome here,” said Tate, who has a batting average in the .400 range. “Coach Daniels has become like my second dad, and Coach [Jimmy] Nave is a great pitching coach.”
Tate kept Richlands off-balance with a blend of well-placed fastballs, curveballs and changeups.
“Virginia High is always going to be strong, and we were excited about playing them,” said Richlands coach Brad Strong, who returned eight starters this season. “[Virginia High’s] pitchers were better than our hitters tonight.
“Our pitchers did well too. We’ve been strong all year long, but we didn’t battle at the plate good enough tonight.”
Richlands senior left-hander Ethain Keene struck out seven and allowed just one hit in his three innings on the mound. Leadoff batter Bradley Strong and Eric Stiltner each supplied two hits, while Christian Hearl contributed solid defense at third base.
Senior Casey Stallard led the Bearcats with two singles, while powerful catcher Clint Chafin drove in two runs. Senior Tyler Arnold played exceptional defense at shortstop.
“I’m proud of the effort from our guys,” Daniels said. “We had a very emotional win Thursday, then we came out and jumped on a good Richlands team early.
“We’re young and have a long way to go. We just want to keep working to get better.”
Entering tonight’s game at traditional rival Abingdon, the Bearcats (4-0) are averaging eight hits and five runs.
Before embarking on his postgame run Friday evening, Tate reviewed his performance.
“I’ve had better stuff, but I pulled through when I needed it,” Tate said. “I’m learning a lot and having fun.”
Richlands 101 001 0-3 6 0
Virginia High 510 000 x-6 6 1
Patton, McGee (2), Keene (4) and Elswick. Tate, Arnett (6) and Chafin, Davis (6). W–Tate (1-0). L–Patton (0-1). HR–none.
agregory@bristolnews.com|(276) 645-2544
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