Galya leads by example, on and off the diamond
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer
When a team makes its way to the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Tournament finals, there are usually several unsung heroes who helped make it happen. One such hero is Old Bridge center fielder Vinny Galya.

PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Above: Old Bridge High School's Vinny Galya scores the go-ahead run during the Greater Middlesex Conference semifinal game against Edison High School held at Middlesex County Vocational and Technical School in East Brunswick on May 24. The Knights went on to win the game by a score of 2-1, and will face St. Joseph's High School (Metuchen) on Saturday for the GMC title. Below: Old Bridge head coach Ken Fischer celebrates with his players following his team's win over Edison.

The Knights have arguably the best pitcher in the county inMikeAugliera and one of the top shortstops in DanWalsh, but it's players like Galya who make the contributions that enable success.

"Vinny has played every inning of every game for us," said Old Bridge coach Ken Fischer. "In his three years with the team, we've never had anyone who could come close to matching him as a center fielder. He also gives us good at-bats consistently. He just does all the little things well."

Aperfect example was Galya's at-bat in the sixth inning of the GMC semifinals against Edison on Saturday. Down 1-0 against Edison ace Jared Shukis, with two outs and pinch runner Trevor Zangoglia dancing off first base, Galya stepped to the plate. He worked the count to 2-1 against Shukis, who had allowed just one hit to that point. The senior, who is hitting .300 with 19 walks out of the second spot in the Old Bridge order, picked up the hit-andrun sign and stepped back into the box.

"Shukis was living outside with his fastball, and that's what I was expecting," the lefty-hitting Galya said. "I also thought that they probably knew we were going to be running, so I had to get the bat on the ball. On the pitch, Zangoglia took off for second and Galya hit the ball into left field past the vacated shortstop's position to keep Old Bridge's hopes alive. Zangoglia later scored the tying run on a passed ball. Shortly thereafter, Galya crossed the plate with what would be the winning run on a wild pitch to give Old Bridge a 2-1 triumph.

The fleet-footed fly chaser also made a pair of outstanding catches, pulling down a long fly ball in deep center with a leaping grab, as well as a sinking line drive he caught in full stride.

"I've seen Vinny make catches like those for the past three years, and it's gotten to the point where I've come to expect it," Fischer said. "He seems to do it all the time."

Galya said that he had the short one all the way, but the ball hit to deep center was something of an adventure.

"I had to go straight back, and I lost the ball for a second but I picked it up at its peak," he explained. "I realized I wasn't going to be able to get under it, so I went to where I thought it was going and it ended up in my glove."

Galya has been chasing down fly balls since he first took his glove and headed out to center field in the Laurence Harbor Little League. He honed his skills under the tutelage of older brother John, and later played in the Cheesequake Baseball League.

He played for Old Bridge's freshman team upon arriving at high school, helping the Knights win the GMC frosh tourney with a victory over Edison in the finals. That summer he was asked to play for the Knights' senior American Legion team.

"I thought there was a chance I'd make varsity, but this is a big school with a lot of good players, so I figured I'd be with the JV," Galya said.

Instead, he won a starting berth on the varsity and quickly proved his worth with a game-tying double in extra innings against South Brunswick.He's been in center field for the Knights ever since.

During that time, he's worked hard to improve his game, spending countless hours at the Baseball Warehouse working with former Old Bri

dge mentor Fred Cole. Galya also improved his conditioning by running winter track as a freshman and sophomore, competing in hurdles and at 200 and 400 meters.

The Knights have been competitive during Galya's three-year stint on varsity, but this season Old Bridge has shown they can play with anyone, posting a 16-9 overall mark.

"We're winning the close games this season and I think it's because we've grown into more of a team," Galya said. "We've been working to win the GMC Tournament since I got here, and now we're in a position to do it."

Next season, Galya, an A-B student, will attend Kean University, where he expects to continue his baseball career while studying business management. But he still has onemore important game remaining with Old Bridge this Saturday.