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NYPL West Virginia Black Bears

Black Bears Pitchers Stifle Spikes

June 22, 2019 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
West Virginia Black Bears News Release


GRANVILLE, WV - On a magical Saturday night at Monongalia County Ballpark, the West Virginia Black Bears routed the State College Spikes 6-1 for the team's second win of the series on Wizard Night at the ballpark.

The Black Bears held the Spikes to their lowest scoring output of the season, allowing just two hits between four different pitchers.

West Virginia also celebrated its first ever Wizard Night. The team wore alternate jerseys that were auctioned off for over $5,500 to benefit the American Heart Association.

After a scoreless first inning, the Black Bears got on the board in the bottom of the second. 3B Jared Triolo started off with a triple, and C Kyle Wilkie drove him home on a right field single to give his team an early 1-0 lead.

In the next frame, State College connected on a pair of hits that tied up the game at one run apiece.

Those two hits were the only offense the Spikes produced all night. West Virginia starter P Michael Burrows came back to dominate in the fourth inning, exiting the game with just one earned run and seven strikeouts to go with two walks.

Burrows said pitching in front of a packed crowd at Monongalia County Ballpark gave him plenty of adrenaline and motivation for his outing.

"Going through extended (spring training), there's nobody there- just the coaches," said Burrows. "This atmosphere creates a different beast from everybody."

In the bottom of the fourth, the Black Bears blew the game wide open by pouring in five runs. SS Victor Ngoepe started things off with a sacrifice fly to give his team a one-run lead.

An errant pitch that hit 2B Cory Wood loaded the bases, and DH Blake Sabol proceeded to clear them on a 3-RBI double to bolster the early lead. RF Brett Kinneman then lined a single to bring Sabol home, giving West Virginia a 6-1 lead with five innings left to play.

Acting Manager and Hitting Coach Jonny Tucker attributes his offense's success to strong pregame preparation.

"We had a pretty good game plan for the guy who was throwing against us tonight," said Tucker. "We were patient and kept bringing the next guy up to the plate."

Black Bears Pitching Coach Tom Filer turned things over to the bullpen to secure the win, and his hurlers didn't disappoint. P Winston Nicacio gave his team three solid hitless innings of work, only allowing a pair of walks.

P Jacob Webb gave West Virginia another scoreless inning in the eighth, and P Garrett Leonard finished things out in the ninth to lock up the Black Bears' fifth win of the season.

West Virginia goes for the series sweep tomorrow afternoon in its final matchup with the State College Spikes. First pitch from Monongalia County Ballpark is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

Sunday's promotion features a kids' pre-game paint party hosted by the WOW! Factory, face painting and balloon twisting by Mr. Twister's Total Entertainment and Kids Run the Bases immediately following the game.

Check out the West Virginia Black Bears Statistics

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