FREDERICK, MD – The West Virginia Black Bears slugged their way to their first road series win as they took game two of the series against the Frederick Keys by a score of 9-3. Sam Crail and Ben Greer led the West Virginia offense as Crail notched two hits in four trips, driving in two runs, and stealing two bases. Greer nearly mirrored Crail as he went two-for-four at the plate, driving in one run.
The Black Bears picked up right where they left off last night in game one. Crail scored the game’s first run thanks to a throwing error on Keys catcher Jay Grant, after he stole third base. Blaze Brothers doubled on the next pitch, driving in Sam Antonacci. Ben Hartl rounded out the first-inning scoring by reaching on an error by third baseman Jake Plastiak. Heading into the second inning, West Virginia led Frederick, 3-0.
Frederick responded with a run of its own in both the bottom of the first and the second innings. Nander De Sedas grounded into a force out, scoring Daniel Figueroa. Figueroa singled in his next at bat, scoring Dylan Hoy, cutting the Black Bear lead to 3-2.
West Virginia answered in a big way with four runs scored in the top of the third. Gehrig Anglin started the scoring with a sacrifice fly. Hartl then doubled in another West Virginia run. Greer followed the double with an RBI single, while Daunte Stuart rounded out the third-inning scoring by reaching on another throwing error by Plastiak. After three innings, West Virginia led Frederick by a score of 7-2.
Right-handed pitcher Tucker Shalley helped preserve the Black Bears lead, tossing a scoreless fourth and fifth inning. He was instrumental in keeping the lead comfortable for West Virginia.
Though a homerun from Keys’ catcher Grant Jay pulled Frederick back to within four in the sixth inning, the Black Bears quieted any hopes of a comeback in the eighth thanks to a double from Crail that scored Greer and Stuart. The Bears closed out the ninth without giving up another hit to secure the 9-3 win.
West Virginia looks for its first sweep of the season tomorrow afternoon in the series finale against the Frederick Keys. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
