It was easy to break into baseball-speak after Heidi Metheny and her husband Greg delivered their news to members of the Monongalia County Board of Education on Tuesday night.
Stepping up to the plate.
Hitting a grand slam.
Pitching a perfect game.
Rounding the bases after a walk-off homer.
For the couple chairing that planned $4 million sports complex for University High School, Mighty Casey – to dip into another Doubleday analogy – has struck gold.
When that promised $2 million matching donation hits from the BOE, a total of $4.8 million will be in the on-deck circle for the facility by the time it’s all done.
“We’re just waiting for you to start your part of the process,” Heidi Metheney told the board.
Meanwhile, the whole deal, which includes baseball and softball fields, tennis courts and other expanses for lacrosse and soccer, will be named, in part, for a University High sports legend taken away too soon – and another star baseball player from the school who had a solid career in the Major Leagues.
Say hello to Duke Pride Sports Complex, in honor of Ronald “Duke” Pride, Class of 1963, a four-sport athlete who once scored 54 points in a basketball game and died suddenly of a cardiac issue while training to be a high school teacher at now Fairmont State University.
Jedd Gyorko, who graduated from UHS in 2007, was a journeyman big leaguer who was a starter and solid contributor for the Padres of San Diego, the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers.
The baseball and softball fields will be named for the athletic contributions of the Gyorko and Stockett families on both sides of Jedd’s tree.
“It’s special to my family,” Gyorko said of the recognition.
“I’ve had opportunities to live all across the country and the only permanent residence I’ve ever had has been in the UHS district,” the major leaguer continued.
“I look forward to watching my kids play and succeed at UHS for years to come.”
