GRANVILLE, W.Va. - After a day of inclement weather at Monongalia County Ballpark, the rain staved off for the West Virginia Black Bears home opener, but unfortunately for the home team, the opposing runs did not. Despite holding the lead through the first three innings, the Bears bullpen lost control of the game in the top of the fourth and finished down by a score of 15-7. 

Not much happened for either squad through the first inning as they reached the top of the second, tied 0-0. Sam Crail was able to watch four balls with the bases loaded to score CF Haven Mangrum from third for the first run of the game. 

Later in the second inning, a passed ball allowed LF Van Gupton Jr. to score. Simultaneously, a shortstop throwing error brought in another Black Bears run, giving the Black Bears a 3-0 lead. West Virginia was tagged out in a rundown to end their scoring spree heading into the third inning.

Starting pitcher Jay Schuler started off strong, holding the Keys to only two runs through the first three innings, helping the Black Bears maintain their lead at 3-2. However, the wheels then began to fall off for the Bears bullpen as they allowed eight combined runs in the fourth and fifth innings, stripping the Black Bears of their lead by a score of 10-4. 

West Virginia did its best to fight back, leaving the score at 12-7 heading into the ninth inning. RHP Chase Smith was the last man on the mound for the Black Bears, holding the Keys scoreless in the eighth and giving the Black Bears’ bats one last chance. Smith was unable to hang on though, as he allowed three more Keys’ runs go by in the top of the ninth, creating a daunting eight-run deficit to overcome in the bottom of the inning. 

The Keys were able to make relatively quick work of the Black Bear bats in the bottom of the 9th, ending the game with a final score of 15-7. The Black Bears look to bounce back tomorrow evening against the Keys in game two of the three-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.