West Virginia Black Bears series wrap-up v. Doubledays

The Pittsburgh Pirates Short Season-A affiliate, the West Virginia Black Bears, wrapped up their tenth home series of the season Thursday night. The Black Bears hosted the Auburn Doubledays. The Doubledays are an affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The Black Bears entered the series with a record of 27-29, while the Doubledays came into the series with an 26-28 record.

Game 1

Game one on Wednesday resulted in a 5-4 win for the Black Bears. In the top of the first inning, Doubleday Centerfielder Victor Robles reached first on a throwing error then stole second and would score on a Max Schrock single. The Black Bears would answer in the bottom of the second inning with Mitchell Tolman on second and Ty Moore on first, Ryan Nagle tripled to give the Black Bears a 2-1 lead. In the top of the seventh, the Doubledays hit back to back to back doubles off of reliever Sean Keselica. Then with Cesilio Pimentel pitching, Dalton Dulin scored on a wild pitching to make it 4-1 Doubledays. In the bottom of the seventh the Black Bears would answer. Logan Ratledge singled to score Mitchell Tolman. Christian Kelley would then hit a bases loaded double, scoring Ty Moore and Logan Ratledge giving the Black Bears a 5-4 lead. Neither team would score again giving the Black Bears the win.

Black Bears starting pitcher Bret Helton had another solid outing. Helton went six innings and allowed just one run on two hits and three strikeouts. Sean Keselica would face three batters, and allow three hits and was charged with three runs. Cesilio Pimentel would pitch the final three innings and get his first win of the season. Pimentel allowed just one hit and struck out four.

The Black Bears offense was led by Christian Kelley and Ryan Nagle,  each had a hit and two RBIs. Ty Moore had two hits while Logan Ratledge collected one hit and an RBI.

Game 2

Game two on Thursday resulted in a 6-4 win for the Black Bears. The Black Bears would get on the board early. Kevin Kramer singled, then Christian Kelly and Logan Hill would both walk to load the bases. Mitchell Tolman would ground into a double play but Kramer would score the first run of the game. The Doubledays would score a run in the second, third and fourth innings. Then, in the bottom of the fourth, Daniel Arribas would walk to start the inning. Two batters later, Albert Baur would double scoring Arribas. In the bottom of the fifth, Kevin Kramer tripled to start the inning and would score on Christian Kelley’s single. In the bottom of the seventh, Erik Forgione singles and then Kevin Kramer bunts for a single. Christian Kelley bunts and Forgione scores on a throwing error. Logan Hill gets hit by a pitch to load the bases. Daniel Arribas then singles in Kramer and Kelley. The Doubledays would get a home run from Rhett Wiseman in the top of the eighth but the Black Bears would hold on for the 6-4 win.

Black Bears starting pitcher Brandon Waddell would go four innings, allowing three runs on four hits, two walks and four strikeouts. Eric Dorsch picked up his second win of the season while going three innings and allowing just one hit and one strike out.

On offense, the Black Bears were led by Kevin Kramer with four hits. Daniel Arribas added two hits and two RBIs. Christian Kelley and Albert Baur would each have two hits and an RBI. Mitchell Tolman and Erik Forgione each collected a hit.

Looking Ahead

The Black Bears will travel to Mahoning Valley for a three game weekend series with the Scrappers. Then, on Monday, they return home to host a six game home stand featuring three games with the Batavia Muckdogs and three games with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

Be sure to get your tickets now as the Black Bears only have nine home games remaining in the regular season! 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!

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