GRANVILLE, W.Va. - The West Virginia Black Bears defeated the Trenton Thunder, 4-1, in a game that was called after 5.5 innings due to lightning strikes and severe weather in the region. Black Bears’ starter Trey Cruz kept the Thunder scoreless through five innings pitched, allowing just four hits. West Virginia’s offense bounced back after a slow start on Friday night for four runs on four hits.
After going down in order in the first inning, the Black Bears took the lead in the second. Anthony Hansen recorded the Bears’ first hit of the night on an infield single. After Bobby Lada reached on a fielding error, Blaine McIntosh cleared the bases with a two-RBI double. Tyner Hughes followed with an RBI double that scored McIntosh to put the Black Bears up by three heading into the third inning.
West Virginia added to its lead with a sacrifice fly from Manny Vorhees in the home half of frame three. As Vorhees popped one to Trenton center fielder Kolby Johnson, Noah Lucier tagged up from third to go up 4-0.
The Thunder began chipping away at the deficit in the top of the fifth. Joe Peduglia reached base on a fielding error by Lucier, driving in Dan Covino and cutting the Black Bears’ lead back to three.
Shayne Clowar replaced Trey Cruz to start the sixth inning. In his second appearance at home, Clowar retired the side to keep the Bears’ lead intact.
As West Virginia began to take the field in the bottom of the inning, play was paused due to nearby lightning strikes. The game was inevitably called after 5.5 innings due to lightning and severe weather in the area.
Blaine McIntosh led the Black Bears’ offensive charge through the shortened game. Despite recording only one at-bat, McIntosh picked up one hit, one run, a walk and two RBI. Starting pitcher Trey Cruz got his first win of the season in his second appearance. The lefty, who allowed four hits and one run with four strikeouts, joined the Bears after winning the Appalachian League championship with the Johnson City Doughboys on August 2.
With the win, West Virginia takes the series from Trenton and stays 6.5 games ahead of second-place State College in the MLB Draft League standings. The Black Bears look to sweep the Thunder on Sunday afternoon at Monongalia County Ballpark. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m.
