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MLBDL West Virginia Black Bears

Bears Drop the Third Game to the Thunder in 12-11 Loss at the Mon

July 13, 2022 - Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL)
West Virginia Black Bears News Release


GRANVILLE, W.Va. - In an offensive anomaly, the West Virginia Black Bears were defeated by the Trenton Thunder, 11-12, at Monongalia County Ballpark on Wednesday evening. With the loss, the Black Bears are once again tied for first place in the MLB Draft League with the Williamsport Crosscuters.

West Virginia's defense struggled early in the game. Following two walks from West Virginia starter Turner Spoljaric, a home run over the left field wall by CF Caleb McNeely gave the Thunder an early three-run lead.

The aggressive at bats for Trenton continued into the second as RF Ryan McCarthy got the best of a fastball for a solo home run.

West Virginia began cutting into Trenton's lead in the home half of the second inning on a single from 2B Daunte Stuart that scored 3B Gehrig Anglin from third. Anglin, who reached on a line drive the previous at-bat, recorded his first of three runs on the night as the Bears headed into the third inning trailing 4-1.

In the top of the third, Trenton added to their lead by one on a two-out single from LF Tate Ballestro down the left field line that scored McNeely, who reached base on a fielder's choice play to catcher Cam Gurney by Anglin.

However, West Virginia exploded offensively in the bottom of the inning. Leading off, 1B Ryan Hernandez smashed a ball way over the left field wall for a solo home run. Then a single from Anglin scored LF Kyle Hess to cut the lead to two runs. A passed ball from Thunder catcher John Cristino brought Anglin home to bring the score to 5-4.

Gurney added gas to fire with a game-tying triple deep into center field that scored Stuart from second. After a pitching change, the go-ahead run came on a pick-off attempt to second base that allowed Gurney to steal home. Up one run, RF Sam Crail drove a ball into left field for a double to score Trenkle, bringing the Bears lead to 7-5 heading into the fourth.

West Virginia's bullpen began to falter the next inning, as manager Jedd Gyorko went through three pitchers in less than three. Tyler Johnson, who rejoined the Black Bears prior to the game, recorded two outs before being pulled after putting two runners in scoring position. Chase Smith entered the game with runners on second and third after a successful double-steal attempt by the Thunder. Curialle, the first batter Smith faced, hit a ground-rule double that tied the game at seven runs.

The next inning, Trenton took the lead for the second time. A double by LF Tate Ballestero scored Cristino while a throwing error by Anglin put Ballestero on third. A sacrifice fly into left field from McCarthy brought home Ballestero, and a solo home run from Christian Hall gave the Thunder a 10-7 lead going into the bottom of the fifth.

Continuing the back-and-forth scoring, the Bears added two runs in the bottom of the inning on a double from Hernandez that scored Trenkle and Crail to cut the Thunder lead, 10-9.

The Thunder added runs in the top of the seventh to give them a 12-9 lead off Black Bears' relievers Tommy Green and Zach Ottinger, but closer Trey Braithwaite held the Thunder from continuing their scoring run in the ninth as he retired the side.

In their last hope to win the game, the Bears attempted a rally in the bottom of the ninth. With two runners in scoring position, a fielder's choice ground ball to second scored Anglin. However, West Virginia was unable to meet the challenge and ended the game down 12-11.

Despite the loss the Black Bears remain in first place, tied with the WIlliamsport Crosscutters. West Virginia begins a three-game series against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Thursday evening as they look to regain sole possession of first place in the MLB Draft League. First pitch for Thursday's contest is set for 6:35 p.m.

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