West Virginia falls in first half finale to Shorebirds

CHARLESTON, WV (June 17, 2018) - Gavin Wallace turned in his sixth quality start, but a rough first inning for the right hander was all Delmarva needed as the Shorebirds claimed the series finale, 4-2, Sunday afternoon at Appalachian Power Park, snapping the Power's six-game winning streak.
Delmarva (35-32) did not waste any time cracking the scoreboard, as the leadoff man, Mason McCoy, singled on the first pitch he saw from Wallace (5-1). The next batter, Branden Becker, clubbed a two-run shot to right field that gave the Shorebirds a 2-0 lead two batters into the game. Trevor Craport then drew a one-out walk and came home two batters later on a Will Robertson sacrifice fly, pushing Delmarva in front 3-0 before West Virginia (37-29) came to the plate.

After the three-run first, Wallace settled down to hold the Shorebirds scoreless over the next five innings, including working out of the third inning and fifth inning using just six pitches each. From the first to the fourth inning, Wallace set down 10 batters in a row, and he eventually retired 16 of the final 18 batters he faced. 
The Power began to chip away at Delmarva's lead in the bottom of the second after John Bormann was hit by a pitch to start the inning. He advanced to second on a wild pitch from Brenan Hanifee (5-3) and crossed the plate on Chris Sharpe's RBI groundout.
In the fourth, West Virginia clawed to within a run after Sharpe was able to bring Bormann in again, this time on a two-out single to center, but that was as close as the Power would get.
Blake Cederlind and Drew Fischer both tossed a scoreless inning in relief of Wallace. In the ninth, Joel Cesar allowed one run on a Ben Breazeale single that gave Delmarva a two-run cushion. Tim Naughton (S, 3) earned his third save after retiring Jesse Medrano for the final out of the game on a strikeout.
West Virginia will send Calvin Mitchell and Deon Stafford to represent them and the Northern Division in the 2018 South Atlantic League All-Star Game in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Midsummer Classic takes place June 19 at 7:05 p.m. from First National Bank Field. After a three-day break, the Power heads to Hickory, North Carolina, for a three-game series against the Crawdads from June 21-23. First pitch of game one from L.P. Frans Stadium is set for 7 p.m.
Following that three-game road set, West Virginia will return to Appalachian Power Park June 24 for a Kidz Sunday Funday against the Lakewood BlueClaws. First pitch is at 4:05 p.m. That will start a six-game homestand with a pair of three-game series against Lakewood and Hickory. During the homestand, the Power will have a Two for Tuesday and Thirsty Thursday, sponsored by Rock 105, a Pets in the Park night and postgame fireworks Friday, brought to you by MVB Bank and Electric 102.7. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.