SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Bengtson Boosts West Virginia over Crawdads

Published on July 13, 2018 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


HICKORY, N.C. - Ben Bengtson's 4-4 night, paired with Beau Sulser's 3.2 hitless innings, led West Virginia to an 8-2 victory over the Hickory Crawdads Thursday night at L.P. Frans Stadium.

Sulser (4-4) came into a jam in the sixth and induced a 3-6-1 double play to end the inning. He then retired 10 of the 11 batters he faced to finish out the game, allowing just one air out and hitting a batter. He relieved Sergio Cubilete who tossed 4.1 five hit innings, allowing two Hickory (40-48, 10-10) runs to score.

West Virginia (48-38, 11-9) struck first in the second inning. Calvin Mitchell started the inning moving to second after Hickory's first baseman Tyreque Reed committed an error. Mitchell advanced to third on a Reid Anderson (2-6) wild pitch before Deon Stafford grounded out to short and Hickory conceded the run at the plate.

Jesse Medrano struck out, but reached safely after hustling to first on a passed ball. Bengtson singled to knock Medrano in with one out to advance West Virginia's lead to 2-0 in the top of the second inning.

Bengtson finished the evening 4-4, scoring a pair of runs and driving in a run with one of the two doubles he hit on the evening.

With Fabricio Macias at the dish and Ryan Peurifoy at second and two outs in the second, a storm rolled through and began a rain delay at 7:33 p.m. The game resumed at 9:46 p.m. after a two hour and 13 minute delay.

Hunter Stratton and Anderson finished their nights after the delay. Stratton finished throwing a scoreless frame.

West Virginia increased their lead in the fifth, dealing all the damage with two outs. After Derek Heffel struck out a pair of batters, Chris Sharpe poked a single into left field. He stole to second and on Ryan Dorow's fielding error on the throw, he advanced to third. After that, Rodolfo Castro hit a base knock between first and second to score Sharpe.

The offense was not done producing there. They added two more runs in the seventh after Bengtson doubled to begin the inning. Peurifoy walked before Macias reached on a fielding error from the center fielder Bubba Thompson, that sacrifice fly scored Bengtson. Castro kept things rolling with an RBI double to bring home Peurifoy and increase West Virginia's lead to 5-2.

The Power's offense finished out the night with a three-run eighth. Peurifoy highlighted the inning with a double that scored Stafford before Macias hit a two-run base knock to bring in Bengtson and Peurifoy.

West Virginia will close out their three-game set with Hickory tomorrow with righty Cody Bolton (3-2, 3.15 ERA). Hickory will counter with RHP A.J. Alexy (3-7, 4.52 ERA). First pitch is set for 7 p.m. at L.P. Frans Stadium. Pregame coverage begins at 6:40 p.m. on The Jock 1300 and 1340 AM, as well as online at www.wvpower.com and via the TuneIn Radio App and MiLB First Pitch App.

West Virginia returns home July 14 for a four-game set against the Delmarva Shorebirds at Appalachian Power Park. Saturday is Ryan Switzer bobblehead night. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Ryan Switzer bobblehead, courtesy of Thomas Health System. The Oakland Raider will make an appearance and sign autographs before the game. The homestand also includes a Kidz Sunday Funday and Family Buck Night. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 13, 2018


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