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MLBDL West Virginia Black Bears

Black Bears Defense Shines in 6-3 Victory over the Thunder

July 11, 2022 - Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL)
West Virginia Black Bears News Release


GRANVILLE, W.Va. - In what turned into a solid defensive performance, the West Virginia Black Bears defeated the Trenton Thunder by a score of 6-3 at Monongalia County Ballpark on Monday evening. After a tough start to the game, the Black Bears defense tightened up after the third inning as they did not allow a run throughout the last six innings of play.

The Trenton Thunder jumped out to an early lead in the first inning on a passed ball by catcher Hunter May that brought home the first run of the game. In the bottom of the inning, the Black Bears created some momentum on the offensive end with a single from 1B Ryan Hernandez and a double from May, but they were unable to capitalize.

A two-error inning in the top of the third allowed the Thunder to increase their lead to 3-0. Mason Hammonds reached on a fielding error by 2B Savier Pinales that allowed Trenton's second run, while a groundout from Thunder SS Caleb McNeeley plated RF Michael Curialle. After this disastrous inning, though, the Black Bears cleaned up their act and did not allow another run for the rest of the contest.

West Virginia finally opened things up on the scoring side in the bottom of the third with a two-run home run deep into left center field from May that brought home Hernandez. May's home run was his fifth of the season, tying for the most in the MLB Draft League.

The Bears took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth. A double from Pinales and the subsequent walks of RF Sam Crail and SS Blaze Brothers loaded the bases. A sac-fly from Hernandez scored Pinales, while a stolen base from Blaze Brothers and a high ball on the pick-off attempt led to Crail reaching home. By the end of the inning, West Virginia led Trenton by a score of 4-3.

On the mound, the Bears defended their lead with a strong, three-up, three-down inning in the top of the fifth, capped by two strikeouts from reliever Ryan Velazquez.

Then West Virginia extended their lead for good in the bottom of the seventh when a passed ball by Thunder catcher John Cristino allowed CF Caeden Trenkle to score, and an RBI from LF Ben Greer drove home DH Daunte Stuart. West Virginia closed the inning leading 6-3.

The Black Bears bullpen did a magnificent job of closing the game with four strikeouts from Velazquez, and three from closer Wyatt Wendell. Velazquez recorded his first win of the season during his two-inning appearance, while Wendell picked up his first save after going three innings with no runs or hits allowed.

With the win, West Virginia improves to 19-14 on the season, still tied with the Williamsport Crosscutters for first place in the MLB Draft League. The Bears look to take the series in the second game against the Thunder on Tuesday evening at The Mon. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.

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