Four-run fifth guides Power to 8-3 win in opener

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (May 30, 2019) - A four-run fifth inning backed Clay Chandler's sixth quality start of the season, as the Power soared past the Asheville Tourists, 8-3, Thursday evening at McCormick Field.
West Virginia (26-26) sent eight men to the plate in its four-run fifth, with the first six reaching base. J.R. Davis worked a walk against Shelby Lackey (1-6) to begin the frame, and newcomer Keegan McGovern stroked a double, but Davis was gunned down at the plate trying to score from first. However, Onil Pena earned a free pass as well, and Bobby Honeyman plated McGovern and Pena with a laced double past the drawn-in infield. Ryan Ramiz added an RBI double of his own, while Joseph Rosa scored Jake Anchia on a sacrifice fly pop out to short in foul territory to cap the frame.

Chandler (5-2) fired his first quality start since May 9, hurling 6.2 innings and allowing three runs while striking out six and walking one. Asheville (22-30) notched its first run on a two-base wild pitch in the fourth that scored Willie MacIver, and tallied another in the sixth and seventh frames on a pair of RBI groundouts.
The Power got the scoring going in the second, as Pena reached on a throwing error by Terrin Vavra and moved to third on Honeyman's base knock. Ramiz then brought in Pena on a fielder's choice groundout for a 1-0 lead. 
West Virginia expanded its lead in the third, with Johnny Slater leading off the frame with a double to left. After Charlie McConnell popped out to Vavra, Davis stroked a two-run homer to dead center, his first of the season and as a member of the Mariners' organization, to give the Power a 3-0 lead. Rosa tacked on a run-scoring double in the fourth to make it a 4-0 edge. 
Dayeison Arias wiggled out of Chandler's biggest jam of the night in the seventh, as the Kentucky native was relieved with runners at the corners and two down with Vavra at the plate. Arias got the scorching hot leadoff man to ground out to short and then fired a 1-2-3 eighth. Elias Espino worked around a couple of base hits in the ninth to close out the game in his first appearance since being activated off the injured list May 27.
West Virginia continues its five-game, four-day series against the Asheville Tourists at McCormick Field Friday evening, with first pitch of the resumed game from April 20 set for 5:35 p.m. RHP Devin Sweet (1-2, 4.39 ERA) heads to the hill for the Power, while the Tourists go with righty Riley Pint (0-1, 9.45 ERA). RHP Ryne Inman (5-3, 3.31 ERA) toes the slab in Friday's regularly scheduled game for West Virginia, while Asheville counters with lefty Colten Schmidt (0-2, 2.32 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 5:15 p.m. on The Jock 1300 and 1340 AM, as well as online at wvpower.com and via the TuneIn Radio App and MiLB First Pitch App.
After their eight-game, seven-day road swing through North Carolina, the Power returns home for their final first-half homestand from June 6-12 against the Greenville Drive and the Delmarva Shorebirds. The home stretch includes a Rock 105 Two for Tuesday and Thirsty Thursday, a postgame fireworks show, courtesy of the West Virginia Lottery and Suddenlink, a Kidz Sunday Funday presented by the Shawnee Park Foundation, a Family Buck Day and a Pets in the Park Night. The two highlights of the homestand begin Thursday, June 6, as West Virginia hosts Power of Pride Night, sponsored by Rainbow Pride of West Virginia and Dow Inc., where the first 500 fans can receive a special pennant giveaway. Meanwhile, the club will celebrate 15 Years of the Power, presented by Appalachian Power, Saturday, June 8, with a special player canvas giveaway available for the first 1,000 fans through the gates. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit www.wvpower.com.