Published: May 13, 2008 11:07 pm         

Everyone making an impact for Devils

Like any tournament-caliber team, Oak Hill has its stars.

Everyone knows about leadoff hitter Rob Stephens. Left-hander Tyler Zimm got the season started with a no-hitter and has not slowed since. Frankie McGraw has thrived as the Red Devils’ most potent power threat.

But it’s the lesser known players who can really make an impact in the postseason, and Oak Hill has plenty of those, too.

“Rob and Zimm and Frankie can’t bat every inning,” Walls said. “You have to have other guys doing the job, whether it’s hit-and-run, bunting runners over, getting key hits here or there.”

No matter whom he puts in, from Chris Chapman stepping up in center field, to Garrett Thompson making big scoops at first base and to catcher Aaron McComas filling in behind the plate, Walls is getting contributions from seemingly everyone on the field.

One of the more pleasant surprises has been Marcellas McFarland. The junior was mostly used as a courtesy runner until he took over in right field midway through the season. All he has done is hit .346 to solidify his spot in the order.

McFarland had a key triple in the Devils’ win over Grayson County (Va.) in the Coppinger Tournament last month.

“He’s kind of a gem that we found,” Walls said. “For a guy who was sitting on the bench, used as a courtesy runner, and to throw him to the wolves, for him to play as well as he has tickles me to death.”

Senior B.J. Wallace is playing his first year of high school baseball after transferring in the fall from Mount Hope, which does not have a baseball program. He has taken advantage of his first and last opportunity, posting a 5-0 record with 3.26 earned-run average, 35 strikeouts and seven walks in 30 innings pitched.

Walls said Wallace “has the fastest hands on the team,” but they were working to improve his swing until he injured an ankle against Princeton. The injury has kept Wallace off the mound and the basepaths, but he can still pitch.

One of the spots Walls had lamented was the ninth spot in the batting order. Sophomore Dustin Nuckels has done his part to allow Walls to breathe a little easier.

The left fielder is hitting .306 and has had several big at-bats to bring Stephens and the top of the order back around. He also has gotten the job done defensively, both in the outfield and as a pitcher. He’s 6-0 with a pair of saves through sectionals.

“As athletic as he is, and he is quick and has a good arm, we moved him to the outfield (from second base) and he hasn’t had an error, knock on wood,” Walls said. “He’s real smart about the game. When there is a left-handed hitter he knows to come in a little bit. He has adjusted real well.”

Then there’s second baseman Tyler Oliver, perhaps Oak Hill’s hottest hitter. He was hitting .193 halfway through the year but is now up to .325.

“I think that’s a tremendous jump,” Walls said.

Oliver also has made Walls cringe a few times with his bare-handed grabs while taking double-play feeds from Stephens.

“He’s 5-for-5 with it,” Walls said. “He made me a promise that he won’t do it if he doesn’t feel comfortable.”

Comfortable is how Walls feels with his lineup each day.

“It takes nine, 10, 11 guys to win games,” Walls said.

— E-mail:

gfauber@register-herald.com