Costly Miscue: Power drop finale in walk-off

(Hagerstown, MD- July 17, 2014)-  The West Virginia Power lost 3-2 in a walk-off to the Hagerstown Suns at Municipal Stadium on Thursday. The game-winning run scored on a fielding error as Hagerstown took the rubber match of the three-game set. 

West Virginia put runners on in each of the first three innings against Suns starter Nick Pivetta, but stranded seven men on base during that stretch. Hagerstown's John Wooten hit a two-run home run off Power starting pitcher Luis Heredia in the bottom of the second to open the scoring. 

The Power evened the score against Pivetta in the top of the sixth. Reese McGuire singled and Danny Collins walked to put the tying runner aboard. After a sac bunt moved both to scoring position, Chris Diaz singled to center and drove in both for a 2-2 game.

Neither starter factored in the decision. Heredia worked six innings in his second career quality start, allowing two runs on six hits with two walks. Pivetta surrendered two runs on seven hits over five and a third.

In the bottom of the ninth, Jimmy Yezzo singled and moved to third on a double by Brennan Middleton. With one down and the infield drawn in, Narciso Mesa hit a ground ball to Power shortstop JaCoby Jones. The ball skipped off Jones glove and allowed the winning run to cross.

Isaac Sanchez (2-2) took the loss while Sam Johns (1-0) notched his first professional victory. Danny Collins paced the Power offense with three hits over three at bats and a walk. Jones was hitless in five at bats and saw his hitting streak stopped at 17 consecutive games. 

West Virginia returns to Appalachian Power Park on Friday, July 18, to open a four-game homestand against the Rome Braves. For tickets or more information, call 304-344-BATS.