Slater homers in 5-1 series finale loss

HICKORY, N.C. (June 5, 2019) - Johnny Slater stroked his first home run of the season and Ryne Inman spun a career-high 6.1 innings, but West Virginia's offense was held in check in a 5-1 loss in the series finale to the Hickory Crawdads Wednesday morning at L.P. Frans Stadium.
Both teams were held scoreless through the first four innings, as Inman (5-5) and Tyree Thompson (2-2) combined to allow just four hits through those frames. 

Slater ignited the offense in the fifth, leading off the stanza with his first home run of the season to right field for a 1-0 Power (29-30) lead. However, Hickory (37-22) responded with a pair of homers in the home half of the inning, as Jose Almonte and Kole Enright each took Inman deep to make it 2-1 Crawdads.
Hickory tacked on a trio of insurance runs in the seventh. Matt Whatley reached on throwing error by Inman to start the inning, and Almonte doubled him home. Jax Biggers then ripped a single that scored Almonte, ending Inman's day on the slab.
Overall, the righty gave up five runs (three earned) to register his fourth quality start of the year. Devin Sweet took over with one down in the seventh and served up a double to Enright, but settled down from there. Sweet struck out three over his 1.2 innings of work while giving up just the one knock.
Grant Anderson (S, 5) picked up his fifth save of the year with three scoreless frames out of the pen, fanning two and ceding just two hits.
West Virginia now heads back home to begin a four-game series with the Greenville Drive Thursday evening at Appalachian Power Park, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. RHP Damon Casetta-Stubbs (2-4, 8.15 ERA) takes the ball for the Power, while the Drive sends RHP Thad Ward (4-2, 2.02 ERA) to the bump. Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 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.
The final first half homestand for West Virginia opens up Thursday evening with Power of Pride Night, presented by Rainbow Pride of West Virginia, where the first 500 fans that stop by Pride Central (The Corona Beach House) in left field will receive a free pennant giveaway. It's also Dow Inc. Night and a Rock 105 Thirsty Thursday, which means fans can enjoy $2.00 cans and 20-ounce beverages, while all college students can purchase two tickets for the price of one with a valid student ID only at the Power Box Office. The highlight of the homestand is on Saturday, June 8, when the club will celebrate 15 Years of the Power, presented by Appalachian Power, 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.