NAPOLEON — Working extra in chilly conditions didn’t seem to bother Vinny Gallaher on Wednesday.
The Clay senior pitcher was on fire throughout the entirety of the Eagles’ key Northern Lakes League baseball game at Napoleon High School.
Gallaher tossed a nine-inning no hitter on just 99 pitches, outlasting Napoleon’s Trey Rubinstein in a fast-paced pitchers’ duel, as Clay broke through late for a 3-0 victory on the road.
“It’s always special. You just go out there and throw your game and, if it happens, it happens,” Gallaher said. “But it’s a great feeling to have.
“I’m always comfortable. If I don’t have my stuff, I always have something else to rely on. We’ve got such a deep arsenal, so, whatever I’ve got, I just trust it.”
Clay improved to 9-1 overall and remained unbeaten in conference play (7-0). Napoleon slipped to 7-6 (3-3).
With temperatures hovering in the mid-40s, Gallaher racked up 10 strikeouts while allowing one walk and hitting one batter in his stellar performance. He was perfect through 4⅔ innings, and only allowed four baserunners overall (two via error).
“Obviously, he’s a big-time competitor. He wants the ball in his hand in big games,” Clay coach Jim Phillips said. “Everything was working tonight, he was super sharp.
“When you can get to nine innings under 100 pitches, obviously, you’re locating well, not giving up many free passes. Just really, really an outstanding performance from an outstanding pitcher.”
Rubinstein matched Gallaher throughout nearly the entire game. The Wildcats’ junior allowed just one hit through the first eight innings.
Even with Rubinstein also excelling on the mound and Clay unable to generate offense for most of the game, Gallaher was locked in mentally.
“When I’m on the mound, I don’t really think about anybody else except for myself,” Gallaher said. “I just go out there and throw my own game.”
Clay got to Rubinstein in the top of the ninth inning.
Luke Jeremy lined a leadoff single to right, and Noah Schacht drilled a double to deep left field in the next at-bat.
An error on a deep flyball to right field with one out scored pinch-runner Jake Titgemeyer. Schacht later scored on a passed ball, and Grady Spears lined an RBI single to score C.J. Boudreaux as the Eagles built a three-run lead.
“I think just continuing to stick to the plan, and obviously not great conditions weather-wise,” Phillips said of the ninth-inning outburst. “Hats off to their pitcher. He was phenomenal tonight. He made us work for everything.”
Rubinstein had 12 strikeouts while allowing two walks and one hit batter. Six of his strikeouts came in the first three innings.
“His velocity was up today, he had good command of his curveball. He made good adjustments throughout the game,” Napoleon coach Eric Sprague said.
“That’s a really good offense, that’s one of the better offenses in northwest Ohio, and to keep them to one hit through eight innings is remarkable.”
Drake Sekinger’s single in the second inning for Clay was the only other hit in the game.
Wednesday’s victory was the second narrow win Clay had over Napoleon this week. The Eagles edged the Wildcats 4-3 on Monday in a battle between the Cardinal Division squads.
“I’m happy we’re not going to see them again, for sure,” Phillips said. “A really well-coached team, a really hard-nosed group, and they’re going to beat some people in the NLL.
“I’m glad we’re not going to see them anymore.”
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