Playoff Bound: Power Going to Postseason
(Charleston, W.V. - August 29, 2015) - The West Virginia Power defeated the Lexington Legends 8-1 on Saturday night to clinch the second postseason berth in three years. With the victory, the Power magic number to one to clinch the South Atlantic League's Northern Division Championship in the second half.
The Power enter the postseason for the fourth time in its 11-year history. Should West Virginia and Lakewood finish the regular season with identical records, the Power head into the playoffs thanks to a 9-5 record against the BlueClaws this season.
West Virginia tagged Lexington starter Yunior Marte with a run in the first inning. Tito Polo collected his first of four hits in the game with a double to left and scored on an RBI single from Connor Joe.
Polo scored West Virginia's second run of the game in the fourth inning. After drawing a leadoff walk, Polo stole second and crossed on a Michael Suchy RBI fielder's choice.
West Virginia added four more runs in the fifth inning to take a 6-0 advantage. Chase Simpson led off the inning with a walk, reached second on a groundout, and scored on Polo's third hit of the night, a double to left. Polo crossed on the first career South Atlantic League hit by Kevin Kramer, a single to center. The Power then loaded the bases for Jerrick Suiter who drew a five-pitch walk. Following a pitching change, Elvis Escobar drew a walk of his own to make it 6-0.
The Legends scored their only run in the fifth inning on back-to-back hits by DonAndre Clark and Luis Valenzuela.
Suchy delivered his second RBI of the night in the seventh to make it 7-1. After Kramer led off the inning with his first triple of his Power career, he scored on a one-out single from Suchy.
West Virginia scored its final run of the night in the eighth inning. With runners on the corners, Kramer delivered a two-out RBI double to plate Tyler Filliben.
Power starter Colten Brewer (5-9) put up a quality start and recorded his fifth win of the year. Brewer allowed one run on four hits over 6.2 innings with three walks and four strikeouts. Marte (4-4) took the loss after surrendering two runs over 3.1 innings.
West Virginia (43-18, 80-50) continues the final homestand with game two against Lexington (23-36, 54-75) on Sunday afternoon. RHP Austin Coley (15-6, 3.91) toes the rubber for the Power against LHP Matt Tenuta (2-6, 4.75). First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. while pregame on Charleston's ESPN Radio 104.5 FM and 1490, the Power website, and the TuneIn Radio App is slated for 1:45 p.m.
Sunday's game is the final Kids Sunday Funday of 2015. From 1-1:20 p.m. all kids 12 and under can play catch on the field prior to the game and after the game, all kids can run the bases. Additionally select Power players will participate in a postgame autograph session along the first base warning track.
For tickets and additional information, visit www.wvpower.com, call (304) 344-BATS (2287) or stop by the Power box office at 601 Morris Street.