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MLBDL West Virginia Black Bears

Winning Streak Continues for West Virginia with an 8-4 Victory over Frederick

July 4, 2022 - Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL)
West Virginia Black Bears News Release


GRANVILLE, W.Va. - In front of a sold-out crowd on Independence Day, the West Virginia Black Bears took down the Frederick Keys, 8-4, in an offensive showcase that included two homeruns from catcher Hunter May. The Black Bears have now won 12 of their last 15 games and have a record of 14-13.

The Keys got off to a hot start with a couple base hits from 2B Harold Coll and DH Carlos Guzman, and a sac-fly from 1B Jake Plastiak to go up 2-0 in the first inning. Thomas Gross (2 ER) (6 H) struggled to locate the strike zone early in his start as he found himself behind in the count multiple times. The Keys continued to get on base early and often going into the second inning. But to no avail, as C Hunter May linked up with SS Blaze Brothers to catch the lead-off runner stealing. Frederick ended the second inning stranding three runners on base.

The Black Bears offense did not pick up steam until the third inning. Sam Crail made quick contact for a single and ended up on third base before the next at-bat ended due to a wild pitch from Keys' starter Allan Saathoff and a passed ball. Ryan Hernandez notched the first RBI for the Black Bears on a sac-fly that scored Crail. Then May put his first homerun of the night over the center field wall. The two-run homer scored Brothers to give the Black Bears a 3-2 lead heading into the fourth inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Black Bears once again found themselves in scoring position. With 2B Daunte Stuart and Crail walking early in the inning, Brothers capitalized with a two RBI double to extend the Black Bears lead to 5-2.

Continuing their success, West Virginia got another run on a single from CF Caeden Trenkle that scored LF Marek Chlup. Trenkle, who found himself in scoring position on third as a result of a stolen base and a passed ball, set up 2B Daunte Stuart for an RBI single to make it a 7-2 game.

May would go on to hit his second homerun deep over the center field wall in the bottom of the sixth to give the Bears an 8-2 lead. The catcher from Alabama State finished the game going three-for-five at the plate with the pair of homeruns, three hits and three RBI.

Frederick eventually showed some signs of life in the top of the eighth. With a lead-off homerun from Plastiak and two back-to-back doubles from Guzman and SS Dominic Freeburger, the Keys cut into the deficit by two to bring the score to 8-4.

However, the Bears defense did not relent, and in the ninth inning, closer Trey Braithwaite entered the game. The Winchester, Virginia, native struck out the first two batters with six pitches. Key's LF Hunter Jump stole Braithwaite's immaculate inning with a single to center field, but the former Mountaineer closed the inning with a groundout to seal the Black Bears' victory.

With this win, the Black Bears improve to above .500 for the first time this season with four consecutive wins. West Virginia returns to Monongalia County Ballpark on Tuesday evening for game two against the Frederick Keys while donning the "Mothman at the Mon" uniforms for the second time this season. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.

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