Keys Defeat Black Bears for First Time in 2021, Plastiak Homers for Second Straight Game 

Morgantown, WV – The Frederick Keys evened the three game series with West Virginia up, after winning Wednesday’s contest by a final score of 9-6. The Keys were outhit in the game, but were led by strong reliever appearances from Dylan Tebrake and Sean Fisher to close out the game. It was the first game of the year that the Keys won by more than two runs. Max Ryerson extended his on base streak to 12 games, walking in 5th inning.

West Virginia picked right up where the offense left off last night, as Freylin Minyeti doubled in the first inning and came around to score. Keys starting pitcher, Kamron Fields, threw four innings allowing seven hits and three runs.

The Keys started scoring in the third as Kevin Jimenez led off the inning with a single. The base hit extended the infielder’s hitting streak to seven games. He was caught stealing as Jake Plastiak was at the plate. Plastiak blasted his second home run in just as many games with the Keys on the following pitch, to tie the game at 1-1. The Keys have now homered in five straight games dating back to Friday.

Frederick’s big inning came in the 5th as the Keys scored a season high six runs in the frame. Plastiak led the inning off with a walk, the first of five that would come. JP Massey struggled to find the zone and got himself into trouble. With runners at second and third, Zac Fascia knocked a double to the left-center power ally to score Paul Komistek and Plastiak. Ryerson, Anthony Herron Jr., Tremaine Spears, and Eddie McCabe all walked allowing two runs to come home with the bases loaded. Jimenez scored Herron Jr. after lifting a sacrifice fly to center field. Plastiak came up for a second time and scored Spears with a double. The Keys offense had five extra base hits in the game and finished the inning with a 8-3 lead.

West Virginia threatened in the 5th as Will Stevens came in relief of Fields but he was able to get out of the jam, punching out Eli Hammill. The Black Bears scored two runs in the frame after the first two batters reached via singles.

In the 6th, Dylan Tebrake inherited runners at first and third as the Keys led 8-5 and was able to stop the rally. Tebrake threw one pitch and got Ryan McCoy to ground into a double play to end the inning.

Sean Fisher entered the game in the 8th and was able to pitch two innings allowing just one unearned run. Fisher faced four batters in the 9th inning, getting leadoff man Garrett Spain to roll over on a groundball to end the game.

The Keys finish their three game series with West Virginia on Thursday. Frederick returns home on Friday for another three game series with the Trenton Thunder. Single game tickets are available online at FrederickKeys.com or by calling the box office at 301-815-9939. On Friday night the Keys host the annual American Cancer Society, wearing custom jerseys with names of Keys fans who have battled with cancer. Brian Baumgartner who played Kevin Malone on the Office will make a guest appearance on Saturday night. For information on special ticket packages please call the group sales office at 301-815-9900. Single game tickets begin as low as $10 and are going quickly so don’t hesitate to call for your tickets today!