West Virginia Black Bears All Star Wrap Up

The Pittsburgh Pirates Short Season-A affiliate, the West Virginia Black Bears, sent four representatives, RHP Dario Agrazal, OF Ty Moore, 3B Daniel Arribas and OF Logan Hill (Photo Credit: Dale Spark) to play for the South team in the New York Penn League All Star Game. The game was played on Tuesday night, August 18th, 2015, at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland. Ripken Stadium is home to the Aberdeen IronBirds.

The night started out with an interesting development. Before the game started, It was announced that the game would only be eight and a half innings. If the South team was trailing, the bottom of the eighth would be their last at bats. The top of the ninth would still be played. There was also a shortage of pitchers for the game AND each pitcher had a twenty-five pitch limit. This final part will come into play later in this post.

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As for the game, The North jumped out to a three run lead after putting together several hits in the top of the first. Tri-City’s Dexture McCall (Astros) had a two run double during the first inning. McCall was later named the New York Penn League All-Star MVP. In the top of the fifth, North All Star/Batavia Muckdogs’ Anfernee Seymour (Marlins) was hit by a pitch to start the inning. He would later score on a Batavia Muckdogs’ Brad Haynal (Marlins) ground out giving the North a four run lead. In the bottom of the fifth, State College Spikes’ Michael Pritchard (Cardinals) and Williamsport Crosscutters’ Mark Laird (Phillies) singled to start the inning for the South All Stars. Pritchard would later score on a wild pitch. Laird would later score on a throwing error by North/Lowell Spinners’ third baseman Victor Acosta (Red Sox). Neither team would score again. The North takes it 4-2 over the South.

The North All Star and Batavia Muckdogs starting pitcher, Nestor Bautista (Marlins) would pickup the win. The South All Star and Williamsport Crosscutters starting pitcher, Mitch Gueller (Phillies), would suffer the loss. Now this is where things get interesting. West Virginia Black Bears/South All Star pitcher Dario Agrazal (Pirates) picked up the save for the North as the North was short on pitching.

As for the rest of the Black Bears, Logan Hill started the game in Right Field and had two at bats but did not reach base. Hill grounded out twice. Ty Moore started the game in Left Field and had just one at bat but grounded out. Daniel Arribas entered the game in the fifth inning at Third Base. Arribas would have two at bats. In his first at bat, he reached first base on the run scoring throwing error by Acosta but Arribas would be thrown out trying to reach second base. Agrazal would get Arribas to ground out in the bottom of the eighth.

The Black Bears will return to action today as they host the Auburn DoubleDays for a short two game series. Then, they will travel to Mahoning Valley for a three game weekend series with the Scrappers. Next week, the Black Bears will host the Batavia Muckdogs for a three game series and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers for a three game series as well. For tickets, visit www.westvirginiablackbears.com, visit the ticket office at the ballpark, or call 304-293-8422.

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

Next: Black Bears/Spikes Recap