
Black Bears' Win Lights up Monongalia County Ballpark on 4th of July
July 4, 2018 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
West Virginia Black Bears News Release
Granville, WV - On a fun and festive night at Monongalia County Ballpark, the West Virginia Black Bears came back to defeat the Williamsport Crosscutters 7-5.
Red, white, and blue filled Granville on Wednesday evening, as 2,570 fans poured into the ballpark to catch a high-scoring game followed by a glimmering fireworks display.
RF Brett Kinneman started things off for West Virginia in the first inning with a double to score leadoff man CF Travis Swaggerty from third base. Immediately after him was DH Jhoan Herrera, who raked in another RBI double to put the score at 2-0.
The Crosscutters got both runs back in the top of the third, but the Black Bears took the lead back immediately in the bottom half of the inning. An RBI single from 1B Luke Mangieri and a groundout of Kinneman brought home a pair of runs to retake the lead at 4-2.
For the next three innings, West Virginia relief pitcher Ryan Valdes preserved his team's lead. The righty gave up four hits while striking out five batters with two walks, allowing one unearned run on a passed ball in the sixth inning.
Williamsport eventually snagged the lead in the seventh inning, giving the road team a 5-4 advantage on a 2-RBI single.
After P Cody Wood worked a scoreless eighth to keep the deficit at one run, the Black Bears finally got the lift they needed. With two outs in the bottom of the inning, a C Paul Brands single and a fielding error by the Crosscutters evened the game at five runs apiece.
With the chance to take the lead, SS Robbie Glendinning played the hero for West Virginia. The Aussie cranked a double into right field to bring around two baserunners, giving the Black Bears a 7-5 lead.
All eyes turned to P Logan Stoelke to lock in the save and bring on the Fourth of July fireworks at Monongalia County Ballpark. The hurler shut down Williamsport at the plate, striking out the final batter to pick up a win in the first game of a six-game homestand.
Both teams are back in action tomorrow afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the New York-Penn League message board...
New York-Penn League Stories from July 4, 2018
- 'Cats Fall Just Short on the Fourth - Tri-City ValleyCats
- Vermont Powers Past Tri-City 6-1 With 5-Run 9th - Vermont Lake Monsters
- Renegades Unable to Contain Canaan - Hudson Valley Renegades
- Black Bears' Win Lights up Monongalia County Ballpark on 4th of July - West Virginia Black Bears
- Voyles Stellar as Spikes Top Doubledays, 3-1, on the Fourth - State College Spikes
- Muckdogs Take Game One from Division Leaders Mahoning Valley, Win 4-3 - Batavia Muckdogs
- Skid Hits Six In West Virginia - Williamsport Crosscutters
- Muckdogs Tame Scrappers with Fourth of July Win - Mahoning Valley Scrappers
- Yanks Take Finale from 'Clones 5-1 Behind Martinez - Brooklyn Cyclones
- Muckdogs Game Notes - Batavia Muckdogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent West Virginia Black Bears Stories
- West Virginia Black Bears Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
- West Virginia Black Bears Release 2025 Promotional Schedule
- Black Bears Announce 2025 Schedule for Milestone 10th Season in West Virginia
- Black Bears End the 2024 Season with 11-9 Loss to the Scrappers
- West Virginia Keeps Post-Season Hopes Alive with 2-1 Win Over Mahoning Valley

