Another Slow Start Ends in Black Bears Loss

GRANVILE, W. VA. - Despite a showcase of pitching early in the game and the threat of a rally in the seventh inning, the West Virginia Black Bears took another tough loss Tuesday night against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, with a final score of 7-1.

Starting P Mitch Bratt’s performance made for a strong debut at Monongalia County Ballpark as he took the mound for the Black Bears. The Ontario, Canada, native made quick work of the top of the Scrappers order, striking out 2 of 4 batters in the top of the first inning. He held the Scrappers to only two hits in the first 1 and ⅔ innings, when the defense finally broke for the Black Bears. A double for Mahoning Valley drove in the first run of the game before Bratt closed out the inning.

The Black Bears held the Scrappers offense to one run until back-to-back singles to center field added to Mahoning Valley’s lead in the top of the seventh (3-1).

However, the first homerun of the season off the bat of Cooper Swanson gave West Virginia a spark of life with only one out in the bottom of the seventh. Though a fly ball deep to center field by Ranko Stevanovich appeared to be the hope to keep the rally alive, it was caught to end the inning.

The remaining hope of a Black Bears comeback fizzled out at the top of the eighth when West Virginia committed five fielding errors and threw a wild pitch, allowing the Scappers to score four runs in the top of the inning. The game ended with a score of 7-1, as West Virginia dropped the opening series to Mahoning Valley.

The Black Bears will head to Frederick, Maryland, to take on the Keys in a two game series beginning Wednesday, May 26. They return home to face former New York-Penn League opponents the Willamsport Crosscutters on Friday, May 28.