WILLIAMSPORT, PA. – The West Virginia Black Bears dropped the final game of the series to the Williamsport Crosscutters in sudden death at Journey Bank Ballpark on Thursday evening. The Bears built an early lead before the Crosscutters put up six runs in the seventh to tie and force the extra half inning.
After three scoreless innings, the Black Bears broke through in the fourth when Jackson Trout singled on a line drive to right field, driving in Zack Thompson from second base. West Virginia added to its advantage in the fifth as Kevin Jones lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Cayden Gaskin to score from scoring position.
The Black Bears continued their offensive surge in the sixth. Gaskin singled on a ground ball to left field to plate Alec DeMartino, then Thompson followed with a line-drive single that brought home Noah Jouras and Gaskin. In the seventh, Tyvon Moore provided insurance with a line-drive single to left, scoring DeMartino from third as West Virginia extended its lead to six runs.
Williamsport answered in the bottom of the seventh. James McCoy singled on a line drive to center, driving in Nick Romano to put the Crosscutters on the board. Matthew Williams then homered for a two-run shot, scoring McCoy, before Trey Wells tied the game with a three-run home run.
After neither team could push across a run in the subsequent frames, the game went to sudden death. Opting for offense, the Crosscutters ultimately secured the win after loading the bases and scoring on a sacrifice fly to shallow left field.
West Virginia’s pitching staff opened the night on a strong note. Starter Drew Townson worked five scoreless innings, allowing just one hit but issuing five walks. Tom Chmielewski held the Cutters to one hit in the sixth, but the bullpen fell apart in the seventh, as Rene Lastres surrendered four earned runs. Lastres lasted 0.2 innings before he was relieved by Reece Clapp. The Illinois State product allowed two more before ending the inning with a flyout. Dawson Hall provided a bright spot with two scoreless innings and two strikeouts to close out regulation.
The Black Bears offense worked consistently through the game, driven by catcher Zack Thompson, who went 2-for-3 with one run, two walks and two RBI, and Alec DeMartino. who notched three hits in his four at-bats with two runs scored. Infielder Cayden Gaskin went 2-for-4 with two runs and one RBI.
The Bears hit the road to New Jersey where they’re scheduled to face the Trenton Thunder in a three-game series beginning Friday evening. First pitch for Friday’s game is set for 7:00 p.m.
