West Virginia Strikes Down Staten Island

GRANVILLE, W. Va.- On a beautiful Thursday night at Monongalia County Ballpark, the West Virginia Black Bears came back to defeat the Staten Island Yankees 6-4.
Black Bears fans celebrated the team's annual Bark in the Park Night presented by Pampered 4 Paws as over 150 dogs filled the stadium to celebrate the West Virginia win.
Staten Island got things started in the top of the first thanks to an RBI double. The Black Bears responded in the bottom half, as a rundown on the base paths allowed a run to come across to tie the game up at 1-1.
The Yankees chained some hits together in the second and third innings to build a three-run lead. Catcher's interference, a bases loaded walk, and a solo home run gave the visitors a small cushion early in the contest.
Then in the bottom of the fourth, West Virginia climbed back into the ballgame. LF Brett Kinneman started things off with an RBI double into the gap to cut the deficit to two runs.
After a throwing error brought Kinneman around to score, C Elys Escobar cranked a single to center field that tied the game up at 4-4.
The Black Bears kept things going in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead from Staten Island. Escobar brought one baserunner in on a fielder's choice, and SS Ethan Paul gave the home team a two-run lead on an RBI groundout as the game went into the final three innings.
While the offense found a way to generate runs, RHP Jesus Valles provided an invaluable outing for West Virginia out of the bullpen. The Venezuelan hurler tossed five innings of scoreless baseball, allowing just two hits and a pair of walks to go with five strikeouts.
With the game on the line, the Black Bears turned it over to RHP Cameron Junker in the ninth inning. The first-year pro picked up his third save of the season, as West Virginia wrapped up the home series with a victory.
The Black Bears head on the road for a six-game trip, starting in New York with the Hudson Valley Renegades. First pitch for tomorrow's contest is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.