GRANVILLE, W.Va. - The West Virginia Black Bears lost to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 6-1, at Monongalia County Ballpark on Wednesday evening. Despite the loss, the Black Bears’ bullpen managed to strike out 16 batters with starter Nate Madej picking up 10 strikeouts through 5.1 innings pitched.
Madej started his night with three strong innings of work. The left-handed pitcher struck out three batters in the top of the first before going on to strike out the side in the second. Madej added to his tally the next inning with one as D’Aires Davis struck out swinging. The top of the inning ended with Scrappers’ Justin Riley being thrown out at home by second baseman Noah Lucier in a stellar double-play.
The Black Bears got a run on the board in the bottom of the third off an RBI triple from Patrick Lee which drove in Andres Ugarte. Heading into the fourth, the Bears led the Scrappers 1-0.
Madej recorded two more strikeouts at the top of the fourth, bringing his strikeout total to nine. Unfortunately, West Virginia failed to provide run support, and posted two scoreless innings through the fifth.
The Scrappers took the lead at the top of the sixth. A two-RBI double from David Bermudez put them up 2-1. A pitching change ensued with Jarrett Miller taking over for Madej. Mahoning Valley scored once more with an RBI-single that drove in Bermudez for a 3-1 lead.
Continuing to pile on the Bears, the Scrappers extended their lead to three runs in the seventh on an RBI double from TJ Reeves.
West Virginia tried to find the offensive spark from Tuesday, getting runners on base in the bottom of the eighth, but failed to capitalize. Mahoning Valley added two more runs in the ninth courtesy of Bermudez for a five-run lead heading into the bottom of the inning.
With three outs remaining for the Bears, Peter Allegro stepped in to close for the Scrappers. He retired the side in the bottom of the ninth, ensuring West Virginia’s 6-1 loss.
Despite dropping the second game of the series, the Black Bears’ pitchers racked up 16 strikeouts through nine frames. Madej hit double-digits again in his 5.1 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts. Jarrett Miller and Shayne Clowar – in his first home game as a Bear – each struck out three batters, though allowing three runs in the final 3.2 innings.
The Black Bears look to secure the series win against the Scrappers on Thursday evening at The Mon. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
