GRANVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears ended their four-game losing streak by defeating the Frederick Keys 11-3 Saturday night. The Bears used a big second inning to secure their eight-run victory. After struggling the last four games, the Bears exploded for 11 runs on 14 hits to finally break out of their slump.
The Bears started the game off hot, taking an early one-run lead after loading the bases. Alex Ungar hit an RBI that scored Drew Collins to put the Bears up 1-0.
The Keys responded immediately in the top of the second inning after Jamal Ritter hit an RBI single to score Taj Bates. Bronson Rivera followed with a two-run shot to put the Keys up 3-1.
In a sudden explosion, the Bears mounted their own offensive rally, erupting for eight runs to take control of the game in the bottom of the second. Jake Berg started the inning with a single before scoring on a fielder's choice by Jordan Peyton. The Bears tied the game with a Collins RBI single. Jace Rinehart and Judah Morris followed with back-to-back RBI singles to put the Bears up 6-3.
West Virginia didn't stop there, adding another three runs. Ungar doubled to put runners on second and third before J.T. Carter hit a two-run RBI double to make it 8-3. The final run of the inning came from Jake Berg, who hit an RBI single to put the Bears up by six.
Relievers took over for starter Gavin Braunecker, who went just two innings, allowing three runs on four hits. Ricky Harrison, Michael Foltz Jr., and Cameron LeJeune proceeded to throw seven empty innings, striking out nine batters, while only giving up one hit.
The Bears scored two insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth after J.T. Carter hit an RBI single. Landon Frei’s RBI ground-rule double brought the score to 11-3.
Drew Collins, Jace Rinehart, and Alex Ungar combined for 8 hits. Collins went 3-4 with an RBI and two runs, while Rinehart went 3-4 with an RBI and one run. Alex Ungar finished 2-4 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs.
With the win, the Bears move to 24-10 and have increased their lead atop the standings to seven and a half games with ten games remaining. The Bears return to Kendrick Family Ballpark for a three-game series against the Williamsport Crosscutters beginning Sunday evening. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
