The Beverly/Lowell Post 389/750 Legion baseball team has performed so well together this year, it is almost like they are family.
For Clay and Jake Ullman, that is literally the case.
The brothers from Belpre High have been highly instrumental in the success of Todd Engle's squad, and hope to continue that success through the state tournament in Lancaster this week. "We want to win it all," Clay said of the team's goals.
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MIKE?MORRISON The Marietta Times
Beverly/Lowell’s Clay Ullman (33) is greeted at home plate after slugging a home run in a game earlier this month.
If Post 389/750 does win it all, it will likely have to due with the performance of the Ullmans.
Clay, a right fielder/designated hitter, has hit .427 this season with 55 runs batted in and two homers out of the five hole. Jake, the starting shortstop, has hit .385 with 21 RBI and two long balls while hitting behind his older brother.
In addition to the gaudy offensive numbers, Jake has played sparkling defense at the most key position in the sport. He said the guys playing next to him have been a big help.
"They've helped tremendously," Jake said. "A lot of times on balls in the hole that I try to backhand, (Tyler Proctor) gets to them before me. And on the other side, Jordan Satterfield and Ethan Estes have done really good at second. This whole team has been great defensively."
As for Clay, he points to the guys in front of him in the lineup for his success offensively.
"I owe everything to them that I've been able to do," Clay said. "Everyone knows about TP, and people know about Landon (Kern) too. They get pitched around a lot which allows me to see good pitches. It's really pick your poison."
At 36-4 with 27 wins in a row, Jake said that playing on Beverly/Lowell with his older brother has been a great experience.
"We've played on less successful teams together," Jake said. "Playing on this team with him has been amazing. It's pretty special. Not many brothers can say they've done something like this."
Clay felt the same way.
"I love it," Clay said. "We've always done everything together. This has been pretty fun."
Clay and Jake will look to help Beverly/Lowell win its first state championship since 2006. "We just have to stay calm, and not let the emotions and the pressure get to us," Clay said. " We have to play as a team."
