Mitchell and Pope homer in 6-5 loss Wednesday

COLUMBIA, SC (May 23, 2018) - West Virginia garnered a quality start from Gavin Wallace and two early homers from Calvin Mitchell and Brett Pope, but it was not enough as they fell to the Columbia Fireflies, 6-5, at Spirit Communications Ballpark on Wednesday.
Wallace tossed six innings, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out a pair. The Fairfield product retired nine of the first 10 Fireflies (24-21) he faced today and ultimately recorded his fourth quality start of the year, but was dealt a no-decision.

Mitchell started the game with his long ball, launching his sixth home run of the season to right-center in the first inning to give the Power (24-19) a 1-0 lead.
In the third, Pope added a two-run homer to right, the first of his professional career, that put West Virginia up 3-0. Pope is now 2-for-8 in three games for the Power.
After the Fireflies shrunk the lead to 3-2, West Virginia was able to push an insurance run across in the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth, Kyle Watson hit a two-out triple before Rodolfo Castro stroked his second double of the day to bring Watson in and up the score to 4-2. In the seventh, Raul Hernandez delivered another big hit, singling in Oneil Cruz to make it 5-2 Power.
The difference in the game came when West Virginia turned to its bullpen in the seventh. Beau Sulser (2-2) started the frame by striking out Matt Winaker, but then allowed three straight singles, the last of which scored Wuilmer Becerra to bring Columbia within two. Sulser then wrung up Edgardo Fermin to keep the bases loaded with two outs, but, after a Blake Tiberi single, Quinn Brodey connected on a sharp grounder to third. Pope knocked it down, but he had no play as Scott Manea came in to score to close the Power's lead to 5-4. The lead evaporated in the next at-bat as Jeremy Vasquez drove in Terrazas and Tiberi with a single to center.
Columbia reliever Aaron Ford (2-0) earned the win after tossing 2.1 innings, while Trey Cobb (S, 6) worked the ninth and earn his sixth save in eight opportunities.
The Power will close out their four game set with the Columbia Fireflies Thursday, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. from Spirit Communications Park. RHP Cody Bolton will make his South Atlantic League debut for West Virginia, while Columbia sends righty Joe Cavallaro (5-1, 2.21 ERA) to the hill. Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on The Jock 1300 and 1340 AM, as well as online at wvpower.com, via the TuneIn Radio App and the MiLB First Pitch App.
Following tomorrow's game, the Power return home on May 25 for their final May homestand, as they take on the Kannapolis Intimidators from May 25-28 at Appalachian Power Park. The homestand kicks off with another postgame fireworks show on Friday evening, presented by Electric 102.7. The marquee event of this home stretch is on Saturday with Legends of Wrestling Night, sponsored by Mix 100.9 and The Jock 1300 and 1340 AM, which includes a special appearance from Jim Ross and a sports duffel bag giveaway to the first 1,000 fans in attendance. $50 VIP packages are still available for purchase, where fans will receive a ticket to the game, a Perfect Game coupon that includes a hot dog, soda and a bag of chips, and access to a private meet-and-greet, autograph and photo session with Jim Ross. A Kidz Sunday Funday and a Family Buck Night wrap up the Power's final homestand before the team hits the road for Lexington, Kentucky. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.