Suns split wild series with West Virginia

HAGERSTOWN, MD - The Hagerstown Suns (2-4) won a game despite being no-hit on Wednesday and also had the second game of a scheduled doubleheader against the West Virginia Power (4-2) get suspended due to rain in the bottom of the second inning. As a result the Suns managed to come away with a 1-1 split of the shortened two-game series against the Power.

 

In the only game of the doubleheader that was completed the Suns came away with a 1-0 win. The lone run in the game crossed the plate in the top of the first inning. The Suns loaded the bases after being issued two walks and one batter getting hit. With two outs, LF Jeff Gardner drew a walk to push home RF Narciso Mesa from third and give Hagerstown the advantage.

 

It was the combination of starting RHP Austen Williams (1-1) and LHP R.C. Orlan who allowed that lone run to hold up for Hagerstown. Williams tossed 5.2 innings, surrendering four hits and one walk while striking out seven to earn the win. Orlan threw the final 1.1 innings without allowing a hit or a walk for his first save of the year.

 

In game one of the series on Monday night Hagerstown mustered just one run despite out-hitting the Power 8-6, as the Suns fell by a final of 3-1. West Virginia picked up all three of its runs in the first three innings against Suns starter RHP Phillips Valdez (0-1). Valdez lasted a total of four innings, surrendering the three earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four. Starting LHP John Sever (1-0) picked up the win for the Power. He went five scoreless innings, allowing five hits and one walk while striking out five. RHP Nick Neumann pitched a scoreless ninth for West Virginia for his first save of the year.

 

The one Hagerstown run crossed the plate in the sixth inning. Grant DeBruin began the frame by hitting a line drive single to right. DeBruin moved to second on a groundout to third, and he scored from second when Jeff Gardner smacked a double to center field. It was Gardner's second double of the season and was one of two hits for him on the night.

 

In total West Virginia outscored Hagerstown 3-2 in the series, and the Power outhit the Suns 10-8. The Suns next head home to Hagerstown for their home opener and the start of a four-game series against the Lakewood BlueClaws (4-3) on Thursday April 16. The Suns will send LHP Connor Bach (0-0) to the mound on Thursday for his second start of the season. He will square off against LHP Josh Taylor (0-0) for the BlueClaws. First pitch on Thursday is scheduled for 6:05pm.