Power Surge Past RiverDogs, 2-0
CHARLESTON, SC - Three West Virginia
pitchers combined on a seven-hit shutout, as the Power blanked the
Charleston RiverDogs in South Atlantic League action Wednesday
afternoon in front of 5,058 fans and school kids at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
With the win, West Virginia improves to 3-4, while Charleston moves to one game under .500 at 3-4.
West Virginia starter Nathan Baker (1-1) scored his first victory of the season, going 5.0 innings with three hits, two strikeouts and no runs allowed.
Charleston would strand 10 runners on base and go 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position. The RiverDogs were also shutout for the first time since August 31, 2009 at Rome and for the first time at home since July 31, 2009 against Lexington.
The Power struck for a 1-0 lead in the second against Charleston starter Graham Stoneburner (0-2) on Wes Freeman sacrifice fly to centerfield. The former Clemson standout Stoneburner gave up just two runs - one earned - on two hits in 6.2 strong innings with one walk and a season-high tying seven strikeouts.
With the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh, RiverDogs reliever Ronny Marte was summoned from the bullpen and allowed an infield RBI single to Jose Hernandez for a 2-0 lead, with the run charged to Stoneburner.
The RiverDogs had their best opportunity in the bottom half loading the bases with no one out, but reliever Gabriel Alvarado induced a Ray Kruml flyout to left and a 6-4-3 double play from Kyle Higashioka. Alvarado pitched 2.0 scoreless frames, while Ryan Kelly registered his first save of the year hurling 2.0 innings without allowing a run.
Garrison Lassiter posted two hits for Charleston, while West Virginia was ultra-resourceful scoring its two runs on only three total base hits.
The final contest of this four-game series is set for Thursday night at 7:05 p.m., with former Seton Hall Pirate Sean Black (0-0, 4.50 ERA) toeing the rubber for Charleston, while right-hander Kyle McPherson (0-1, 1.80 ERA) takes the mound for West Virginia.
BALLPARK FUN: It was Charleston County Education Day presented by Y 102.5 FM with a rare 11:05 am start time. It was Baseball 101 at the ballpark, with Charleston County School students swapping pencils, books and dirty looks at the front gates for hot dogs, foam fingers and a little of bit of schoolin'- RiverDogs style!
UP NEXT: It's another Budweiser Thirsty Thursday here at the ballpark with dollar beers, hot dogs and sliders at the Ashley View Pub. As tax season comes to a close, the new "MacGruber" movie is opening soon. The RiverDogs salute "MacGruber" and we ask fans to imagine, "what if MacGruber did their taxes?" Before the game fans can come and showcase their inner-athlete skills as the 1K BACKWARD Race (yes it will be walked or run backwards) is for the not-so-serious runners but for more serious have-funners! The course is .62 of a mile and begins in right field at The Joe and finishes at home plate. Registration includes a race packet, koozie (while supplies last), hydration station, ballpark-style dinner and a RiverDogs game ticket. The 1K backwards race is presented by The Brick and Operation Boot Camp.
With the win, West Virginia improves to 3-4, while Charleston moves to one game under .500 at 3-4.
West Virginia starter Nathan Baker (1-1) scored his first victory of the season, going 5.0 innings with three hits, two strikeouts and no runs allowed.
Charleston would strand 10 runners on base and go 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position. The RiverDogs were also shutout for the first time since August 31, 2009 at Rome and for the first time at home since July 31, 2009 against Lexington.
The Power struck for a 1-0 lead in the second against Charleston starter Graham Stoneburner (0-2) on Wes Freeman sacrifice fly to centerfield. The former Clemson standout Stoneburner gave up just two runs - one earned - on two hits in 6.2 strong innings with one walk and a season-high tying seven strikeouts.
With the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh, RiverDogs reliever Ronny Marte was summoned from the bullpen and allowed an infield RBI single to Jose Hernandez for a 2-0 lead, with the run charged to Stoneburner.
The RiverDogs had their best opportunity in the bottom half loading the bases with no one out, but reliever Gabriel Alvarado induced a Ray Kruml flyout to left and a 6-4-3 double play from Kyle Higashioka. Alvarado pitched 2.0 scoreless frames, while Ryan Kelly registered his first save of the year hurling 2.0 innings without allowing a run.
Garrison Lassiter posted two hits for Charleston, while West Virginia was ultra-resourceful scoring its two runs on only three total base hits.
The final contest of this four-game series is set for Thursday night at 7:05 p.m., with former Seton Hall Pirate Sean Black (0-0, 4.50 ERA) toeing the rubber for Charleston, while right-hander Kyle McPherson (0-1, 1.80 ERA) takes the mound for West Virginia.
-RIVERDOGS-
BALLPARK FUN: It was Charleston County Education Day presented by Y 102.5 FM with a rare 11:05 am start time. It was Baseball 101 at the ballpark, with Charleston County School students swapping pencils, books and dirty looks at the front gates for hot dogs, foam fingers and a little of bit of schoolin'- RiverDogs style!
UP NEXT: It's another Budweiser Thirsty Thursday here at the ballpark with dollar beers, hot dogs and sliders at the Ashley View Pub. As tax season comes to a close, the new "MacGruber" movie is opening soon. The RiverDogs salute "MacGruber" and we ask fans to imagine, "what if MacGruber did their taxes?" Before the game fans can come and showcase their inner-athlete skills as the 1K BACKWARD Race (yes it will be walked or run backwards) is for the not-so-serious runners but for more serious have-funners! The course is .62 of a mile and begins in right field at The Joe and finishes at home plate. Registration includes a race packet, koozie (while supplies last), hydration station, ballpark-style dinner and a RiverDogs game ticket. The 1K backwards race is presented by The Brick and Operation Boot Camp.