Greensboro gets past West Virginia

Published on July 2, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release

HIGHLIGHTS: The West Virginia Power squander an early 6-0 lead to fall 10-7 at the hands of the Greensboro Grasshoppers. The Grasshopper bats sprung to life in the final four frames to overcome the deficit, and take game two of the three games series.

The Power opened the game with a leadoff home run lined over the right field wall from Dan Grovatt. After Andy Vasquez drew a walk, he would score from first on a hit and run double by Justin Howard giving West Virginia a 2-0 lead after the first inning.

Kevin Mort would lead off the bottom of the fourth inning with a walk. Mort advanced to second base on a wild pitch and then scored on a long single into left center field from Rogelio Noris. Eric Avila followed by lining a double into centerfield scoring Noris. Avila would be driven in to score on a triple from Vasquez that tailed into the left field corner and allowed the speedster to take three bags. Vasquez would cross on a fielder's choice hit by Chase Lyles, who replaced Justin Howard, and gave the Power a 6-0 lead.

Zac Fuesser pitched six plus innings for West Virginia collecting a no decision after allowing two runs on six hits while striking out seven ‘Hopper batters.

Greensboro would start its comeback in the sixth inning with a solo home run from Marcell Ozuna. Ozuna wouldn't be done as he added a two run round tripper in the seventh. The Grasshoppers picked up a total of three runs in the seventh, four runs in the eighth, highlighted by a three run bomb from Daniel Black, and two insurance runs in the ninth, to total 10 runs.

Brooks Pounders (5-3) took the loss for West Virginia giving up six hits that plated six ‘Hopper runs, five of which came on two home runs from Ozuna and Black.

The Power added a seventh run in the sixth with a double into left field from Dan Grovatt that scored Eric Avila. However, the offensive surge from the Grasshopper proved to be too much as Greensboro is able to take first two games of the series with a 10-7 win.

West Virginia will close the three game series against Greensboro on Sunday afternoon. The game is set for a 2:05 p.m. first pitch as Colton Cain will start for the Power against Rhett Varner getting the start for the ‘Hoppers.

South Atlantic League Stories from July 2, 2011

• 'Dads edged by Drive in 11 innings, 4-3 - Hickory Crawdads
• Drive Capture Another Thrilling Win, 4-3 in the 11th - Greenville Drive
• Greensboro gets past West Virginia - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Fireworks for Braves As Rome Snaps Seven Game Skid - Rome Emperors
• GreenJackets Shut Out for Third Time in a Week - Augusta GreenJackets
• Grand Slam Vaults Lakewood Past Delmarva, 6-2 - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Intimidators Come up Empty with Runners in Scoring Position - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Rome's Skid Ends at Seven, Dogs Fall, 6-5 - Charleston RiverDogs
• BlueClaws Bounce Back with Big 6-2 Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• West Virginia Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Rome Roster Move - Rome Emperors
• Savannah Sand Gnats Game Notes - Savannah Sand Gnats

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