Bullpen Strong, Owen Homers in 7-4 Loss
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Black Bears' relievers RHP Neil Kozikowski and RHP Scooter Hightower combined to shutout Williamsport over the final six innings but West Virginia fell to the Crosscutters, 7-4. Starter RHP Stephan Meyer received the loss lasting just one inning, allowing six earned runs on eight hits.
Four hits in the first inning, highlighted by an RBI single from CF David Martinelli and C Henri Lartigue's RBI sacrifice fly gave Williamsport an early 2-0 lead. Just one inning later, a two-run home run from RF Juan Luis, two wild pitches and DH Luis Encarnacion's RBI groundout increased the advantage to 7-0.
Kozikowski entered in the second inning and tossed four innings, surrendering just one earned run on three hits. West Virginia's bats would spark in the fifth inning as a solo home run off the bat of LF Hunter Owen, his third of the season, cut the deficit to 7-1.
During the final two innings, the Black Bears' would back the excellent pitching from Hightower who tossed the final three innings scoreless. An RBI double from 3B Will Craig in the eighth and C Chris Harvey's two RBI groundout in the ninth decreased West Virginia's deficit to 7-4. But, this would be the final extent to their threat.
West Virginia struggled offensively against Williamsport starter LHP Ranger Suarez who won his third game of the season, allowing only one earned run on five hits through six innings. Pacing the ten-hit attack was SS Stephen Alemais who went 3-for-5 while Owen went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. The Crosscutters were led by SS Arquimedez Gamboa who went 4-for-5 with two runs scored. Also, LF Mark Laird went 3-for-4, scoring two runs.
Tomorrow night, the Black Bears (14-17) and Williamsport Crosscutters (18-13) will meet at 7:05 p.m. from BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field for the final game of the series. Fans can listen to Andrew Caridi who has the call on www.westvirginiablackbears.com, the TuneIn Radio app and on the MetroNews Radio Network.
Owen's Outstanding Week
Since July 13, Hunter Owen is hitting .391 (9-for-23), which includes four multi-hit games, eight runs scored, two home runs and four RBI. Currently, the 25th round draft pick in 2016 is batting .301 with a .338 on-base percentage.