MLBDL West Virginia Black Bears

West Virginia Secures Series with 5-2 Win Over State College

Published on July 12, 2023 under Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL)
West Virginia Black Bears News Release


GRANVILLE, W.Va. - The West Virginia Black Bears defeated the State College Spikes, 5-2, and secured the series win at Monongalia County Ballpark. West Virginia has now won four straight games with no losses to start the second half of the MLB Draft League season. In Wednesday's win over the Spikes, pitcher John Bakke stood out for the Black Bears as he retired the side in each of his three innings on the mound.

The Bears came out hot in the first inning to take an early lead. Cam Ridley got on the board after stealing home on a wild pitch to put the Black Bears up 1-0.

Starting pitcher Mark Faello gave a strong performance in his first appearance as a Black Bear. Though Spikes' Luis Aviles tied the game with a homerun to lead off the top of the second, Faella proceeded to strike out the next three Spikes to keep the game tied at one.

Taking back the lead in the bottom of the third, Ridley and Ben McClain each drove in a run to take a two-run lead. Ridley doubled to right field to score Patrick Lee before a groundout by McClain gave Ridley time to make it home.

State College got one back in the top of the fifth off an RBI single from Ryan Guardino. Faello found himself in a jam at the end of the inning with two Spikes in scoring position. Guardino was picked off at third by Bears' catcher Tyler Dellerman to end the inning and maintain the 3-2 lead.

Reliever John Bakke replaced Faello in the top of the sixth, and the Bears padded their lead in the home half. Bakke retired the side in quick succession to send the Bears back to the plate. In the bottom of the inning, Dellerman hit a two-RBI single that scored Anthony Hansen and Bobby Lada to extend the Black Bears' lead to 5-2. Though State College reliever Justin Miller got himself into a bases-loaded jam, he managed to escape the inning with just earned two runs.

The remaining frames passed swiftly as Bakke retired the side for the third straight time in the top of the eighth. Brady Choban picked up the save for the Black Bears as he held the Spikes from scoring through the ninth inning.

On a slow night for the offense, Cam Ridley led the Bears with two hits in three at-bats and two runs. The West Virginia pitchers held the line through nine innings, allowing just three hits and two runs. Starter Mark Faello picked up the win with three hits, two runs and seven strikeouts through his five innings of work. John Bakke gave one of his best performances of the season in his three-inning appearance, allowing no hits or runs with three strikeouts.

The Black Bears go for the sweep against the Spikes and their fifth consecutive win on Thursday night at Monongalia County Ballpark. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. For more information, please visit www.WestVirginiaBlackBears.com.

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Major League Baseball Draft League Stories from July 12, 2023


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