Sports stats

NYPL West Virginia Black Bears

Scrappers Snag Series Win over Black Bears

August 25, 2018 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
West Virginia Black Bears News Release


Granville, W. Va. - Opening up a three-game series on the road, the West Virginia Black Bears lost to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 3-2.

The Black Bears came off a six-game homestand, where they went 2-4 in a pair of series against the Williamsport Crosscutters and the Batavia Muckdogs.

West Virginia started things off in the top of the first inning by jumping into the lead. With a runner on second, SS Mike Gretler brought home the game's first run on an RBI-single.

Starting pitcher Zach Spears kept his team ahead with three strong innings of shutout baseball. The lefty allowed just one hit and three walks while picking up two strikeouts.

After the Black Bears went to the bullpen, Mahoning Valley tied the ballgame in the bottom of the sixth inning. A single brought a run around for the Scrappers, knotting the game up at one apiece.

Quick to respond, West Virginia roared back in the top of the seventh to retake the lead. 2B Melvin Jimenez cranked a double into right field to bring a runner home, putting the score at 2-1.

Then in the bottom of the inning, Mahoning Valley fought to get back on top. A sac-fly and an RBI double brought a pair of runs home for the Scrappers, as the home team took a 3-2 lead heading into the final two innings.

The Black Bears were unable to respond in the eighth or the ninth inning, taking a loss in game one as the teams prepared for Friday night's matchup.

GAME TWO

Despite a late game comeback, the West Virginia Black Bears fell to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 4-3.

In a relatively low-scoring contest, both teams performed well at the plate. The Pinckney Division opponents combined for 22 hits in the game- 11 on each side.

The Scrappers got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI single to take an early lead. Three more singles in the third inning brought around another three runs, as Mahoning Valley had a comfortable 4-0 cushion to start the game.

The Black Bears got two runs back thanks to a defensive miscue in the fourth inning. SS Zack Kone reached base on a throwing error, allowing a pair of runners to cross home plate to put the score at 4-2.

The bullpen did its part to keep West Virginia in the game. P Miguel Hernandez allowed just one hit in three scoreless innings of work, and P Alec Rennard followed him with a shutdown eighth inning to give the visitors a chance in the top of the ninth.

The Black Bears gave themselves an opportunity in the final frame. With runners on the corners, a passed ball on a 3B Mike Gretler walk made it a one-score game with two outs in the inning.

Mahoning Valley got the final out after a pitching change, securing the win as the teams headed into the final game of the series.

GAME THREE

In the final game of the series, the West Virginia Black Bears used some home run strength to defeat the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 7-6.

All but one of West Virginia's runs came via the long ball, as the team compiled only seven hits as compared to 15 from the Scrappers.

LF Daniel Amaral flexed his power to start things off in the top of the second inning. His solo homer to left field was his team-leading fifth of the season, as the Black Bears took a 1-0 lead.

With a runner on base, 3B Mike Gretler joined the home run party in the top of the third. His two-run bomb gave West Virginia a 3-0 lead in the early going.

Mahoning Valley tied things up in the bottom of the fifth. A sac fly, a double and a single brought three runs around to score to knot things up at 3-3.

In the top of the sixth, a Scrappers' miscue gave the Black Bears the lead. A wild pitch brought CF Fabricio Macias around to score from third base, as the visitors snagged a one-run advantage.

In the bottom of the inning, Mahoning Valley re-tied the game with the help of an RBI single, putting the score at 4-4 going into the final three frames.

Then in the bottom of the eight, the Scrappers pulled ahead. A single and a fielding error brought a pair of runs around to score, giving the home team a 6-4 lead needing just three outs to complete the sweep.

But West Virginia wasn't done yet. With two runners on and two outs, RF Brett Kinneman came in clutch with a three-run homer to give his team a 7-6 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.

P Conner Loeprich completed the save to steal a win on the road, as the team heads home for a three-game series against the Auburn Doubledays. First pitch for tomorrow's game is scheduled for 4:05 p.m.

Check out the West Virginia Black Bears Statistics



New York-Penn League Stories from August 25, 2018


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



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central