
Another Slow Start Ends in Black Bears Loss
May 25, 2021 - Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL)
West Virginia Black Bears News Release
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 â..." 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.
Major League Baseball Draft League Stories from May 25, 2021
- Brecklin Goes Deep for Spikes, Crosscutters Take 3-2 Win - State College Spikes
- Another Slow Start Ends in Black Bears Loss - West Virginia Black Bears
- Cutters Walk It Off - Williamsport Crosscutters
- Smith's Ninth Inning Homer Completes Herd Comeback - Trenton Thunder
- Keys Bats Stay Silent, Record Drops to 0-2 - Frederick Keys
- Spikes Come Back Late But Fall to Crosscutters, 6-5, in MLB Draft League Debut - State College Spikes
- Black Bears Return to Monongalia County Ballpark in Season Opener - West Virginia Black Bears
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Other Recent West Virginia Black Bears Stories
- West Virginia Snaps Losing Streak with 8-2 Win over Mahoning Valley
- West Virginia Rallies for 10-7 Win over Mahoning Valley
- Fourteen-Run Win over Trenton Keeps West Virginia in the Fight for First Place
- Thunder Roll over the Bears to Even the Series
- Black Bears Take Third Straight Game with 5-3 Win over Thunder

