West Virginia Black Bears series wrap-up v. Spikes

The Pittsburgh Pirates Short Season-A affiliate, the West Virginia Black Bears, wrapped up their fourth home series of the season Friday night. The Black Bears hosted a three game series with the State College Spikes. The Spikes are an affiliate of the St Louis Cardinals. The Black Bears entered the series with a record of 10-13, while the Spikes came into the series with 11-12 record.

Game 1

Game one resulted in a 10-7 loss for the Black Bears. The Black Bears were led by Logan Hill‘s three hit and three RBI night. Daniel Arribas added two hits. Kevin Newman, Albert Baur, Kevin Kramer, Alexis Bastardo and Ty Moore each added a hit. Ty Moore also had an RBI. JT Brubaker started the game for the Black Bears. Brubaker pitched 3.2 innings and allowed five runs on six hits and struck out two. Jerry Mulderig came on in relief and pitched 1.1 innings, allowing just one hit. Juan Paula pitched one inning and allowed three runs on four hits and suffered the loss. Nick Hibbing threw the final three innings allowing two runs on three hits.

For the Spikes, starting pitcher Ian McKinney picked up the win while going five innings, allowing five runs on seven hits and struck out six. Kender Villegas pitched one inning and picked up his first save of the season. At the plate, the Spikes were led by Thomas Spitz with two hits and three RBIs. Orlando Olivera added three hits. Cole Lankford and Danny Martin each added a hit and two RBIs. Michael Pritchard and R.J. Dennard each added two hits. Casey Grayson had a double.

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Game 2

Game two resulted in a 3-1 loss for the Black Bears. Starting Pitcher Bret Helton suffered his fourth loss of the season while allowing only three runs on four hits and striking out five. Edgar Santana and Andy Otamendi pitched the final four innings and allowed only three hits. Kevin Newman led the Black Bears with two hits. Kevin Kramer, Ty Moore, Daniel Arribas and Casey Hughston each added a hit. Logan Hill had the lone RBI on a fielders choice.

The somewhat quiet night at the plate for the Black Bears was thanks to a strong outing by Spikes starting pitcher Jorge L. Rodriguez. Rodriguez picked up his second win of the season while going six innings. He allowed just three hits and struck out three. Reliever Luke Harrison pitched the final three innings and picked up the save. Harrison allowed three hits and one run. Josh Swirchak and Orlando Olivera each had two hits. Thomas Spitz, Michael Pritchard and Cole Lankford each added a hit. Casey Grayson had two RBIs on the night.

Game 3

Game three resulted in a 7-3 win for the Black Bears. Kevin Newman hit his first home run of the season, a two run homer. Ty Moore led the way with three hits and two RBIs. Kevin Kramer, Casey Hughston, Maximo Rivera and Christian Kelley each added two hits. David Andriese added one hit. Black Bears starting pitcher Dario Agrazal had a superb start and picked up his third win of the season. Agrazal went six innings and allowed one run on three hits and struck out seven. Eric Dorsch and Julio Eusebio pitched the final three innings and each allowed a run.

The Spikes starting pitcher Dailyn Martinez suffered his second loss of the season. Martinez went four innings and allowed five runs on seven hits, walked four and struck out four. The Spikes were led at the plate by Jose Godoy with two hits. Michael Pritchard, Cole Lankford, Leobaldo Pina and R.J. Dennard each added a hit. Elier Rodriguez added two RBIs.

Looking Ahead

The West Virginia Black Bears hit the road for four games in three days at the Auburn Doubledays. The Auburn Doubledays are an affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The Black Bears will then return home for a three game series with the Brooklyn Cyclones. The Brooklyn Cyclones hail from the McNamara division of the New York Penn League and are an affiliate of the New York Mets.

Make sure to tune in to RumBunter as we continue to provide coverage of not only the Pittsburgh Pirates but of the West Virginia Black Bears throughout the season as well!

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