Vieaux Dominant As Scrappers Edge Black Bears

NILES, OH - Black Bears' starter LHP Cam Vieaux was dominant in his outing on the mound, but Scrappers' LF Silento Sayles hit an RBI sacrifice fly in the eighth to push Mahoning Valley past West Virginia, 4-3 on Friday night from Eastwood Field. Scrappers' reliever Ryan Perez recorded the win out of the bullpen hurling 1.1 scoreless innings.

West Virginia received a stellar performance from Vieaux who received a no-decision, striking out nine batters through six innings while allowing just one earned run on six hits. After both teams were held scoreless for the first four innings, the Black Bears took a 1-0 lead in the fifth as LF Hunter Owen singled and eventually scored on an RBI double from C Chris Harvey.

Mahoning Valley responded in the bottom of the frame on CF Gabriel Mejia's RBI single, tying the score, 1-1. In the seventh, Owen and Harvey crossed the plate on a Scrappers' error, putting West Virginia ahead, 3-1.

Reliever RHP Scooter Hightower entered for the Black Bears in the seventh and eventually took the loss, allowing three earned runs over two innings. The Scrappers would even the score in the bottom of the inning on an RBI double from LF Todd Isaacs and an RBI single off the bat of DH Nathan Winfrey.

During the next inning, Mahoning Valley jumped in front of West Virginia on Sayles' RBI sacrifice fly to centerfield. But, in the ninth, the Black Bears would not go away quietly. Harvey began the frame lining a single to right field before advancing to second base on DH Tyler Leffler's sacrifice bunt. After a walk to SS Erik Forgione, Scrappers' reliever RHP Michael Letkewicz induced a pop out and a fielder's choice to secure his third save of the season.

Harvey led West Virginia's offense going 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI as each team had 10 hits in the contest. For Mahoning Valley, Mejia guided the attack also going 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.

West Virginia (31-35) and Mahoning Valley (33-32) will battle in the second game of the series tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. from Eastwood Field. Fans can listen to Darren Zaslau 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.

Harvey Hitting

After a tremendous performance tonight, Black Bears' C Chris Harvey is now batting .333 in the month of August (17-for-51) with seven RBI, six runs scored and a home run. The Vanderbilt product is currently batting .302 in 29 games.