GRANVILLE W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears were unable to complete the three-game series sweep, falling to the Aberdeen IronBirds, 10-4, after taking the opening two games of the series.
Aberdeen drew first blood, scoring three in the opening innings. Jevin Relaford launched a solo home run over the left-field wall before Max Galvin added an RBI single to center for a two-run lead. The IronBirds extended their advantage in the second with another home run off Brylan West.
West Virginia got on the board in the third. Ben Barrett grounded out to bring Tyvon Moore home, trimming the deficit back to two.
Aberdeen got the run back and then some the next inning with a two-run double from Nathan Earley that stretched the lead to 5-1.
In the fifth, Alec DeMartino lined a single to center, allowing Cayden Gaskin to score. Heading into the sixth, the Bears trailed by three.
After a scoreless inning, Aberdeen regained momentum in the seventh. West delivered an RBI single to right field, bringing home Galvin and Dylan Winebrenner to pad their lead.
The IronBirds added insurance with an RBI double that scored Parido in the eighth and a base-loaded walk that brought home Relaford in the final frame.
Down to their final three outs, West Virginia attempted a rally. DeMartino drove in Elijah Cook with a sacrifice fly, and Jackson Trout followed with an RBI double to left field that scored Barrett. However, the comeback fell short as the Bears ended the inning with a pop fly, dropping the game by six runs.
The Black Bears remain at home to begin a weekend series against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Saturday and Sunday. First pitch for Saturday’s game, presented by WVU Medicine, is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., with special guests Bluey and Bingo making appearances at the ballpark.
