GRANVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears saw a one-run lead slip away as the Mahoning Valley Scrappers erupted for six runs in the ninth inning to claim the series finale, 13-5, at Kendrick Family Ballpark.
The Scrappers struck first in the opening inning. With the bases loaded, Davis Mauzy lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Jayden Hylton to score the game's first run.
Play was then halted after lightning was detected within five miles of Kendrick Family Ballpark.
After the game resumed at 6:30 p.m., West Virginia answered immediately in the bottom of the first. Ben Barrett ripped an RBI triple to right field, scoring Cayden Gaskin, before Zack Thompson followed with a double to left that brought Barrett home to give the Black Bears a 2-1 lead.
The Scrappers evened the score in the third. Mike Young stole home, and later in the inning Hylton lined an RBI single to left field to score Jordan Taylor.
The Black Bears regained momentum in the fourth when Thompson launched a 369-foot solo home run over the left-field fence to tie the game at three.
West Virginia added to its advantage in the fifth as Barrett blasted a 376-foot, two-run home run to right-center field, scoring Kevin Jones and putting the Black Bears ahead 5-3.
Mahoning Valley cut into the deficit in the sixth when Maddox Mihalakis crushed a three-run homer to center field, plating Kaikea Harrison and Hylton to put the Scrappers back in front.
The Scrappers added another run in the seventh as Zion Williams connected on a solo home run to left-center field.
Ahead by one entering the ninth, Mahoning Valley broke the game open with a six-run inning. Cooper Vance scored on a sacrifice fly before Harrison reached second on a fielding error that allowed Mauzy and Cayden Evans to cross the plate. Hylton followed with a two-run triple to center, scoring Mike Young and Harrison, and Mihalakis capped the rally with an RBI single.
Though the Bears got one on with a walk in the final frame, they ended the game on a strikeout to split the series.
Starting pitcher Hunter Holzemer put on a strong performance despite the rain delay, tossing five innings while striking out seven. Holzemer allowed three runs, all unearned, while issuing one walk. Stifled at the plate, the Bears struck out 17 times. Two-way player Ben Barrett and catcher Zack Thompson comprised the entirety of the West Virginia offense, with Barrett going 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBI, including his fifth-inning home run. Thompson finished his night 3-for-4 with two RBI and one run, scored on his solo shot in the fourth.
The Black Bears hit the road Tuesday for six games before returning to The Ken on August 11 to face the State College Spikes at home for the first time this season. The upcoming road trip will take the team to Williamsport, Pa., to face the Crosscutters before the Bears head to Trenton to play the Thunder. First pitch for Tuesday’s game in Williamsport is set for 6:35 p.m.
