Blue Devils Put Up Tough Fight in Group A loss

RADFORD, Va. – Robbie Perry fought to harness his emotions following Sunday’s Group A state championship loss to Chatham, yet the interim Gate City baseball coach could not help but shed a few tears when his two seniors were recognized.

“I don’t think anybody expected our team to be here after what happened in the middle of the season, but those seniors stepped up and led us,” Perry said.

Perry has directed the Blue Devils since seven-year head coach Shannon Carter was arrested following an alleged domestic dispute with his ex-wife on April 30.

Behind the play of versatile seniors Jordan Estepp and Dustin Jones, GC won the Region D championship en route to Sunday’s clash. Gate City had averaged 10 runs over its last five games. The Chatham offense was even more productive, however. Chatham ran its season home run total to 44 Sunday, as the Cavaliers posted a 10-4 win at Radford University.

“We got beat by a great team with a very potent offense,” Perry said. “We knew we were going to have our hands full after watching Chatham Saturday, but we battled to the last out.”

The Region B champion Cavaliers (25-2) entered the state semifinals with a string of double-digit victories and a team batting average of .404, then rolled past Rappahannock 14-3 Saturday as every player in the lineup collected a hit.

Gate City (21-6) fell behind 5-2 after three innings Sunday, and never found a comfort zone against unbeaten senior Drew Kirks. The left-hander struck out 13 while allowing eight hits.

Jones reached on an error and single, plus made a running catch in left field. Estepp collected a two-run double in the seventh inning, but was forced from the mound in the third inning. GC relief pitcher Luke Kirk struck out five and allowed just four hits.

“Jordan and I tried to lead the team as seniors, and I think we did a pretty good job,” said the powerful Jones, a .378 hitter who doubled as a football standout. “We all love to compete and we knew we could get to this point. We made it, but things happen.”

Prep baseball fans and college coaches have been monitoring the progress of Chatham the past two seasons. The Cavaliers featured senior catcher Gavin Hylton, who tied a
Virginia High School League single-season record last year with 18 home runs. With another home run Sunday, Hylton finished with a VHSL career record of 49 homers. He will play at talent-stacked Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tenn., next season.

Fourth-year Chatham head coach Chad Anderson said he was not surprised that his team collected nine hits and three more home runs Sunday. Hylton connected for a three-run blast in the first inning, while Dogwood pitcher of the year Matt Bray later slammed a ball into the scoreboard.

“The guys have been on a tear all year, and Kirks and Bray have been awesome on the mound,” said Anderson, who has been grooming his six seniors since eighth grade. “Gate City can swing the bats, but Kirks flat-out pitched.”

Kirks watched Gate City hold off Honaker Saturday, then devised a fundamental plan.

“I knew [Gate City] could hit, so I just tried to mix things up and basically make them put the ball in play,” Kirks said. “I could tell in the eyes of my teammates that they really wanted this. They had the [offensive] stroke, and I tried to do my part.”

The only losses for Chatham came against Danville area rival Tunstall, a four-time state champ which advanced to the Group AA quarterfinals. Chatham also featured Methodist College signee and Dogwood player of the year Tyler Younger, who was held on one hit Sunday.

“We had the pitchers count on that home run in the first inning, but you’re going to win a lot of games if you can hit a curveball 370 feet,” Perry said. “And it takes a pretty good daggone team to win making four errors.”

Perry was also impressed with the diversity of Kirks’ pitches.

“We were hoping we could hit some straight fastballs, but we never knew what to expect,” Perry said. “[Kirks] kept us off-balance with a curveball.”

Gate City and Chatham had split two games in the state semifinals, with GC winning in 2004. Gate City has never won a title in baseball, while Chatham’s last title came in 1987.

Perry said he savored the entire journey to Sunday’s date with history.

“I’m thankful to God that we got here,” Perry said. “We’re young, but we’ve grown as a team and had contributions from all 11 of our players.

“I’m so proud of these guys. I’m still living a dream.”