GRANVILLE, W.Va. – On one of the hottest days so far at Monongalia County Ballpark, the West Virginia Black Bears lost to the State College Spikes by a score of 11-4 on Wednesday evening. The Black Bears have now lost five consecutive games and are 2-10 on the season.
The opening inning of the game turned out to be a disaster for West Virginia, as the entire Spikes lineup made an appearance in the top of the first. In his third start, pitcher Peyton Olejnik allowed five runs – four earned – in his single inning appearance. Olejnik (1-1) could not control the State College offense and gave up two walks and a double to the first three Spikes at bat.
After a scoreless second inning, the Spikes bats warmed up against reliever Thomas Gross. In his first appearance as a Black Bear, Gross allowed three more runs in the top of the third, including a two-run homerun from State College 1B EJ Doskow.
The Bears began the bottom of the third down 8-0. However, a single from LF Ben Greer and two walked batters put Greer in scoring position, while a fielder’s choice double-play off the bat of RF Sam Crail brought him home two plays later. 1B Ryan McCoy stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs on the board. Unfortunately, McCoy was unable to capitalize, and the Bears finished the inning still down, 8-1.
Defensively, the Black Bears tightened up through the middle of the game. Matthew Tieding pushed through four scoreless innings for the Bears, allowing the Spikes zero hits through the end of the seventh. West Virginia cut into the State College with two more runs in the bottom of the inning. It did not prove to be enough, though, as the Spikes increased their lead in the top of the eighth when a series of wild pitches and passed balls brought the score to 11-3.
The Black Bears put up one more run in the bottom of the eighth but could not overcome the Spikes lead, and they finished the game down seven runs.
As in past games, the Bears outhit their opponent, but were unable to generate any momentum at the plate. West Virginia recorded six hits, while State College had five in their eleven-run win.
The Black Bears return to Monongalia County Ballpark on Thursday to finish the series against the State College Spikes before hitting the road to take on the Frederick Keys. First pitch for Thursday’s game is set for 6:35 p.m.
