Scrappers Sweep Black Bears
GRANVILLE, W.Va. - West Virginia DH Will Craig extended his hitting streak to 13 games but the Black Bears fell to Mahoning Valley, 6-5 on Friday Night from Monongalia County Ballpark. Black Bears' starter RHP James Marvel dropped to 3-6, tossing six innings, allowing six earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts.
West Virginia took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning as 3B Nick King crushed a two out, two RBI double to left field. But, Mahoning Valley would answer in the top of the third on an RBI double from SS Alexis Pantoja and LF Andrew Calica's RBI groundout to tie the game, 2-2.
Mahoning Valley jumped ahead of the Black Bears in the fifth on a three RBI triple from Calica and DH Gavin Collins' RBI single, giving the Scrappers a 6-2 advantage. Reliever RHP Dylan Prohoroff entered in the seventh for Marvel and tossed two scoreless innings.
The Black Bears' offense, though, would spark in the eighth inning as RBI sacrifice flies from Craig and LF Hunter Owen cut the Black Bears' deficit to 6-4. West Virginia manager Wyatt Toregas would go to the bullpen again as RHP Luis Paula hurled the ninth inning, scoreless.
In the ninth inning, the Black Bears' offense would threaten. C Arden Pabst, who led off the frame with a single, came in to score on CF Clark Eagan's RBI single. But, reliever RHP Ping-Hsueh Chen worked out of the jam to earn his first save of the season.
Scrappers' RF Mitch Longo went 2-for-4 with two runs scored while reliever LHP Ryan Perez logged the win throwing three scoreless innings. Craig, King and Eagan had two hits each for West Virginia. Mahoning Valley outhit the Black Bears 9-7.
Tomorrow night, West Virginia (20-27) will open a three game set against the Williamsport Crosscutters (28-19) at 7:05 p.m. from Monongalia County Ballpark on WVU Fan Night. Fans can listen to Andrew Caridi who has the call on www.westvirginiablackbears.com, the TuneIn Radio app and on the MetroNews Radio Network. For tickets, visit www.westvirginiablackbears.com or call 304-293-7910.
Paula Power
In five of his past six outings, Black Bears' reliever RHP Luis Paula hasn't allowed an earned run. The 2014 31st round draft pick has thrown eight innings over the excellent stretch.