Video: Pitcher snags hot-shot comebacker for United States Coast Guard Top Play

By Aaron Williams Apr 21, 2017, 5:10pm

Duffy Gallagher of McDowell (Erie, Pa.) saves a hit and his head with a quick-reflex grab of a smash back up the box.

Video: Pitcher with the comeback liner
See Duffy Gallagher snag a hot shot back up middle for an out.

Pitchers know it's not a matter of if, but when. As in when is a hot smash back up the middle going to buzz the tower.

Well, Duffy Gallagher of McDowell (Erie, Pa.) handled his moment like a boss and earned the United States Coast Guard Top Play.

Gallagher was pitching for the Trojans when the batter scorched a ball back up the middle and aiming to buzz the tower. The 6-3 senior hurler went all "Top Gun" and told the ball and batter "Negative on the fly-by, Ghost Rider." He snagged the ball in the webbing of his mitt and had a mix of surprise and relief on his face as he walked off the bump.

An out, a little self-preservation and a Top Play all rolled into one. Not too bad.