Diorio's Dinger Drives Comeback Win
BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Trailing 5-4 in the ninth, RF Ty Moore's RBI single and LF Matt Diorio's go-ahead three-run home run propelled West Virginia to an 8-5 victory over Brooklyn. West Virginia outhit the Cyclones 15-10 in the contest.
West Virginia's offense, similar to last night, put runs on the scoreboard in the early going. Six hits over the first two innings, highlighted by an RBI single from DH Kevin Krause and an RBI double off the bat of C Arden Pabst gave the Black Bears a 2-0 lead in the first frame of play.
The Cyclones' attack would click in the third inning as RBI sacrifice flies from C Dan Rizzie and RF Gene Cone tied the game, 2-2. But, the Black Bears would respond in the fourth as CF Sandy Santos, who worked a one out walk, came across to score on a passed ball, giving West Virginia a 3-2 advantage.
Black Bears' starter RHP Luis Escobar didn't allow an earned run over the first three innings, striking out three batters. Reliever RHP Scooter Hightower entered in the fourth and pitched three scoreless innings. West Virginia added a much-needed insurance run in the eighth on an RBI single from SS Stephen Alemais, putting West Virginia ahead 4-2.
Manager Wyatt Toregas would rely on the Black Bears' bullpen to shut the door as reliever RHP Brandon Bingel retired the Cyclones in the seventh. Brooklyn found a rhythm in the eighth as wild pitches allowed DH Blake Tiberi and LF Jay Jabs to score along with an RBI walk to Rizzie gave the Cyclones a 5-4 lead.
In the ninth inning, though, West Virginia's offense would explode as an RBI single from Moore set the stage for Diorio's go-ahead, three-run blast. The long ball was Diorio's second of the season.
Mahala went 4-for-5 with two runs scored to pace the Black Bears as reliever LHP Cristian Mota logged the win allowing two earned runs through two innings. For Brooklyn, 1B Darryl Knight and Tiberi had two hits each while reliever RHP Austin McGeorge was charged with the loss allowing four earned runs on five hits in the ninth.
West Virginia (25-30) and Brooklyn (29-26) will play the rubber match tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 p.m. from MCU Park. 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.
High Flying Hightower
After throwing three scoreless innings tonight, Black Bears' reliever RHP Scooter Hightower has allowed just two earned runs over his past 16 innings. The 2015 15th round draft pick currently has a 2.23 ERA in 32.1 innings pitched.