The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – Alleghany’s senior, Hunter Nicely, like many of his teammates, has been through the ringer for the school’s baseball program.
However, Nicely has learned to appreciate the little things each and every day and is thankful for his health and his ability to just be available when needed.
Nicely started playing tee-ball at age six and fell in love with the sport. Two years later, he started with a travel team and played eight years there until his Mountaineer career began. He played basketball in his early teen years, but gave that up to focus on baseball, a sport he loves very much, and it was then that he grew up during some tougher times.
“My high school career has been nothing short of incredible,” Nicely said.
“Whether it be multiple coaching changes, Covid taking a season, or me personally battling a bad injury in the offseason while prepping for my junior season,” he stated.
And it was that injury that halted the second baseman’s progression and kind of put him behind the 8-ball for hard work and playing time.
“I tore my labrum in my right shoulder in October of 2021 during an open diamond, prepping for my upcoming junior season. After the injury, the next few months consisted of many doctor visits for tests and MRIs, which led to a long road of physical therapy for the following year. I was unable to throw my junior season and was held back to just a few at bats for the year, which definitely set me back in the game mentally and physically. At this point, I now wear tape and a brace on my right shoulder to stabilize my throwing arm. My arm’s not what it used to be but the physical therapy, band workouts I do daily, and the shoulder brace certainly help me be the best I can through the injury,” Nicely explained.
Someone that has helped Nicely through his troubles and helped prepare him for everything in between has been his coach, Seth Bradley.
“My coaches, especially coach Bradley, have shown endless support for me throughout my career at Alleghany. Whether it be training for baseball or helping in the classroom. Coach Bradley has always had my back on and off the field and definitely helped shape me as a ball player, student and a person. I know I’m more prepared for my future due to him, and my teammates and I are very lucky to have him as our coach and a mentor,” Nicely said.
And what the coaches do not provide, Nicely’s family does, and they may be just as upset as he is when everything ends at the school.
“During my sports career, my family has been everything,” Nicely said.
“My sisters, mother, father and grandparents have shown endless support to me over the years. Especially my mother, she’d do anything in the world for me, and playing sports has always reflected that. Lord only knows the miles traveled and money spent to get me to tournaments around the state and to watch me play, no matter how far away, or what she’d miss out on. Also, my grandmother too. Those two are always who I look for in the stands when I’m doing what I love on the field. I know seeing my final season winding down is going to be just as hard for them as it is for me,” he continued.
Speaking of the season winding down, the senior is going to look back at these Mountaineer days as a blessing and as a continued reminder that he was a part of something special.
“Being a part of the Alleghany baseball team is nothing short of an honor. We have been very successful throughout my career, but it’s bigger than that. This is a well-known program across the state that’s created its culture from shaping ball players into well respected, hard workers who play the game the right way. For me, I’ve had many family members play on this team in years past and that makes it even more special to me. Wearing that hat around with the “A” on it truly is bigger than baseball. I’ve been reminded of it time after time when I wear it off the field and people know where it comes from even out of town,” Nicely stated.
“The memories here are endless, my friends have made these four years a blast and I’ll cherish it forever. I truly don’t know if I could confidently pick just one, but my baseball team’s journey to states last year is definitely something that comes to mind,” he added.
Nicely predicts a special finish this season for his team as well.
“Honestly, I don’t see a ceiling for us. We control our own destiny; and this team is something special. We get better each day we play and, if we continue to play how we’ve proven we can, I don’t think anyone can stop us,” he said confidently.
Just for fun, Nicely was asked if he could be any celebrity, what celebrity he would be. His answer was a direct reflection of the type of person he is, and there is nothing wrong with dreaming big.
“It’s not God’s plan for me, but if I could choose to be anything it would certainly be a professional baseball player. I’d never stop playing this game if I could and I’ve dreamed of being under those huge lights with thousands of fans since I was a little kid,” he concluded.
With a long-term goal of owning his own business in the electrical field, Nicely plans to attend IBEW for a 5-year electrical apprenticeship this coming fall.
