GRANVILLE, W.Va. – After a back-and-forth contest between the West Virginia Black Bears and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, the Black Bears secured the first win of the three-night homestand on Friday evening at Kendrick Family Ballpark.
After two scoreless innings, the Scrappers struck first in the top of the third. Cooper Vance launched a home run to left field, scoring Cayden Evans and giving Mahoning Valley a 2-0 lead.
The Black Bears responded quickly in the bottom of the inning, rendering the Scrappers' lead short-lived. Kevin Jones scored on an RBI double by Elijah Cook. Zack Thompson singled on a ground ball, and Tyvon Moore took advantage of the opening to score a run and tie the game, 2-2.
The Scrappers regained the lead in the fourth as Julian Hernandez and Zion Williams each scored on a single to pull ahead by two. West Virginia reliever Brian Garmon II entered the game and recorded two strikeouts to keep the Bears within reach heading into the fifth.
Mahoning Valley extended their lead in the sixth. Jordan Taylor came home on a sacrifice fly to center field to bring the score to 5-2.
But the Bears battled back to knot the game at five in the home half of the inning. Ben Barrett turned his single into a run after an Ian Collier RBI double. With Collier on second base and adrenaline high, Alec DeMartino launched a fly ball deep into left field for a two-run homer.
West Virginia completed its comeback in the seventh, taking a two-run lead. Moore made the trip home on a sacrifice fly from Cole Kitchens for the Black Bears’ first lead of the game. The rally continued as Collier singled on a line drive, bringing in Zack Thompson to score.
Holding onto a narrow lead, the Bears turned to their bullpen to secure the win. Miles Smith, who entered in relief of Hunter Holzemer with one out in the seventh, got West Virginia through the eighth, surrendering one walk but no hits. Pittsburgh alum Jake Kramer took the mound in the final frame, retiring the side in order with three consecutive groundouts, played skillfully by Barrett at first.
The Bears compiled 12 hits in their 7-5 win over the Scrappers. Kevin Jones recorded two hits in three at-bats, with a double, a walk, and a run in the bottom of the third. Ben Barrett went 3-for-4 on the evening with a run scored in the sixth.
West Virginia returns for the second game of the three-game home stand on Saturday evening for Star Wars Night presented by WVU Medicine. Highlights of the popular promotion include character meet-and-greets, officially licensed Black Bears x Star Wars merchandise, and special Mandalorian jerseys that will be auctioned for WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital. First pitch for Saturday’s contest against the Scrappers is set for 7:00 p.m.
