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SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Tolman Helps Power over Columbia

June 30, 2016 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


(Charleston, WV)- The West Virginia Power won the series opener over the Columbia Fireflies 4-2 Thursday night at Appalachian Power Park. Mitchell Tolman launched a pair of home runs back of Bret Helton who worked six innings of two run ball en route to the win.

Columbia took an early lead in the first against Helton on a run scoring groundout by David Thompson.

The lead did not last long as Tolman tied the game in the bottom half with a solo home run overtop the right field fence.

West Virginia took the lead in the third. With one out, Alfredo Reyes and Casey Hughston hit back-to-back singles to put runners on first and third. The next batter Logan Ratledge hit a ground ball to first baseman Dash Winnigham who, in an attempt to get the force out at second, threw the ball out of the reach of the shortstop Milton Ramos and into left field. Hughston and Reyes both were able to score on the error, giving the Power a 2-0 advantage.

The Fireflies got a run back in the top of the fourth on a home run by Winningham, however that was the final run allowed by Helton and the Power pitching staff. The right-hander gave up just the two runs along with five hits through six innings. Helton has now lasted at least six innings in six of his last seven starts.

The Power picked up an insurance run in the sixth when Tolman launched his second home run of the game, another shot beyond the right field fence put the club up 4-2. It's the first multi-home run game in the second baseman's professional career, and the second time a West Virginia batter has accomplished the feat in 2016 after Tito Polo connected for two on June 1 vs. Lakewood. Tolman led the Power offense, finishing 2-3 with three RBI.

Julio Eusebio pitched a scoreless ninth to notch his 6th save of the season, aided by a game-ending diving catch by Hughston in right center, robbing Pat Mazeika of extra bases and securing the 4-2 win. Eusebio has allowed a run in just two of his 22 appearances this season and has given up just one hit in his last six trips to the mound.

The teams will play game two of the series Friday night. Gage Hinsz starts for West Virginia against Bryce Beeler for Columbia. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 P.M. at Appalachian Power Park, with postgame fireworks following the conclusion of the game.

$1.00 from every ticket sold during the homestand will be donated to the American Red Cross- West Virginia Region to help ongoing flood relief efforts in the state. For more information on other flood relief efforts at Appalachian Power Park during the upcoming homestand and throughout the month of July, please contact the Power front office at (304)-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.

Second Half Record:

5-3

Overall Record:

40-37

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