​Eagles Hang On For District Championship Against Marshall

by John Unrein
 
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     Grain Valley Eagles head baseball coach Brian Driskell turned to assistant coach Dom Giangrosso for a hug after the final out was recorded in the Class 5 District 7 Tournament on May 21st. The Eagles had just held on for a narrow hard fought 2-1 victory against the Marshall Owls. The players rushed the field from the dugout to form a dog pile between third base and the pitcher’s mound. The celebration continued with Driskell receiving a water shower from starting pitcher Cole Keller.
     Grain Valley had defeated Ruskin, Warrensburg, and Marshall to obtain a district crown for the first time since 2009. Activities Director Brandon Hart summoned the team to behind home plate at Raytown South stadium for a picture with the first place championship trophy. Media and parents waited their turn for pictures and handshakes with parents. Driskell could not contain his smile as he shared his postgame thoughts.
     “This is a fun experience as I have never been in this situation, it is overwhelming. For (Cole Keller) to go run in track sectionals this morning in multiple events and quality for state before coming here and emptying the tank on the mound. I was concerned around the third inning before he (Keller) reached down and put us in a position for us to have a chance at the end (of the game),” Driskell said.
     “I have never had a kid like Cole and some of our other leaders. It is fun to have for our team. Palecek came in and did a good job shutting the door (in relief). He is an example of what we have preached all year with the motto of ‘team over me.’ We had a senior verify that Joel should be on the mound when he responded to one of our coaches with, ‘Joel’s got this.’ Baseball becomes extremely fun with that going on.”
     Driskell continued, “There are not many situations where I enjoy getting my clothes wet before getting in a car, but this is one of them. That was welcomed for sure. I did tell Coach Alberson for Marshall that no one deserved to lose this game tonight. We faced one heck of a team tonight for sure. It meant a lot to get to share this moment with my team and Coach Giangrosso especially.”
     Keller’s busy day started early at the Class 5 Sectional 4 track meet. The senior would go on to qualify in the 400 meter dash and 4 x 400 meter relay for the MSHSAA Class 5 State Championships on May 27th. All of this took place before Keller hit the mound and would strikeout seven batters, surrender two hits and three walks, while only giving up one run across five and two-third innings.
     The key for Keller as a starting pitcher for the Eagles all season has been his mechanics. Something that is not uncommon for tall pitchers with long arms and legs to struggle with at times in consistently repeating their delivery. Keller started practicing his leg kick and foot placement during breaks at the sectional track meet. The attention to detail paid off for Keller as he knew he was right while warming up in the bullpen prior to the start of the game.
     “Getting this win tonight was everything. I love these dudes. The start of the fourth inning was surreal for me as I looked around,” Keller said.
     “I did not miss a spot in the bullpen warming up before the game. When that happened, I knew I was going to be on when I hit the mound.”
     Keller finished, “I am delighted for Coach Driskell to get this title. The dugout was full of energy and we did not back down tonight.”
     Keller would get to eighty-eight pitches on the mound and top out at eighty-six miles per hour on the radar gun before handing the baseball over to Driskell in the top of the sixth inning. Joel Palecek would be summoned to come in and finish the game for the Eagles. The junior went about his business as usual by throwing strikes and never changing his facial expression on the mound.
     Palecek would lean on his fastball to only allow one base hit and no runs across one and one-third innings of scoreless relief. Just as impressive was the bases loaded jam that Palecek worked out of in the top of the sixth inning to keep the win intact for Grain Valley.
     “I give all glory to God. I trust my teammates. I put faith in those two things and did my best. The way we competed tonight was great,” Palecek said.
     “Having the trust of my coaches and teammates means a lot to me.”
     Grain Valley improves to a record of 25-8 as they will next face the Smithville Warriors on May 29th in the quarterfinal round of the MSHSAA Class 5 state playoff.

The Grain Valley Eagles baseball team celebrates their Class 5 District 7 Championship. 
​Photo credit: Valley News staff

Senior Cole Keller goes 5 and two-thirds innings on the mound for the Eagles.
​Photo credit: Valley News staff

First baseman Kaden Jeffries produces an RBI single in the bottom of the third inning.
​Photo credit: Valley News staff