West Virginia Drops the Series Finale in 11-8 Loss to Frederick

FREDERICK, MD – The West Virginia Black Bears lost the series finale against the Frederick Keys at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium on Thursday evening. After winning the first two games with powerful offensive performances, the Bears could not overcome an early deficit and ended the game down 11-8.

Frederick jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first. In an uncharacteristic turn, starting pitcher Jeremy Cook struggled on the mound as he saw the entire Keys order in the first frame. A fielder’s choice on a ground ball from 1B Jake Plastiak scored CF Amir Wright for the first run of the game. With runners on the corners, a wild pitch by Cook scored SS Evan Berkey and advanced Plastiak to second. An RBI single from 3B Ben Fitzgerald and a throwing error on Bears CF Turner Hill drove in another run and advanced two runners into scoring position. Caleb Upshaw brought in the Keys’ fourth and fifth runs with a two-RBI single to right field before Cook pulled the Bears out of the trenches with a strikeout to end the long inning. Heading into the second, West Virginia trailed 5-0.

Frederick’s starting pitcher Jonathan Pintaro held the Bears scoreless through the second, and the Keys plated an additional run on a stolen base by Wright in the home half of the inning.

West Virginia struck back in the top of the third with two runs. With the bases loaded, a double by LF Ruben Fontes brought home CF Turner Hill and 1B Ryan Hernandez for the Bears’ first two runs. Though they loaded the bases once more, West Virginia failed to capitalize on the opportunity and ended the inning down 6-2.

The struggle on defense continued for the Bears into the bottom of the third as a high throw from SS Tyler Bosetti to Hernandez disrupted a double play and allowed Keys 2B Trevor Johnson to score. Cook limited the damage and ended the inning with his fourth strikeout as the Keys took a six-run lead.

After three scoreless innings, the Black Bears’ bats finally heated up in the top of the seventh. Back-to-back doubles from Hernandez and Fernandez put another run on the board for the Bears. Catcher Nolan Metcalf followed suit with a third double that scored Fernandez and RF Tremaine Spears who reached on a walk. An RBI single by SS Anthony Stehlin pulled West Virginia within one run as the Bears trailed 7-6 heading into the stretch.

Refusing to be swept, the Keys added four insurance runs in the bottom of the inning to take a five-run lead. With the bases loaded, reliever Bryce Woody walked in the Keys’ eighth run of the game with one out on the board. Ian McMahon entered in relief with the bases still juiced. A sac-fly from Wright brought home Johnson before a two-RBI triple by Berkey put Frederick up 11-6 going into the eighth inning.

West Virginia plated two final runs in the last two innings of the game but could not overcome the deficit. In the top of the eighth, an RBI single by Spears scored Hernandez. The next inning, Hernandez drove in his first run of the game with a sacrifice-fly that brought in Bosetti. Failing to complete the rally, the Bears dropped the game 11-8.

On an uneven offensive night, Ruben Fontes powered the West Virginia offense with two hits and two RBI, and Adan Fernandez continued his hot streak at Frederick with two hits in five at-bats, one run and an RBI. Fontes, Fernandez and catcher Nolan Metcalf drove in six of the seven runs for the Bears with two RBI each, while the MLB Draft League RBI leader, Ryan Hernandez, drove in his 45th of the season in the ninth inning.

The Black Bears pitchers could not find a foothold on the mound as they allowed nine earned runs on nine hits. Starting pitcher Jeremy Cook allowed six hits and seven runs with five earned in three innings pitched – his shortest start this season. With Cook’s early exit, manager Jedd Gyorko dug deep into the bullpen, going through five arms in as many innings. Rhian Mann threw one scoreless inning in the fourth, and Chase Lorg allowed one hit in two innings. While Woody allowed four runs in the seventh, McMahon and Kanan Butler both pitched shutout innings through the eighth.

With the loss, the Black Bears fall to 43-26 with nine games left in the regular season. West Virginia returns to Monongalia County Ballpark on Friday night for Fan Appreciation Day and the final Friday Night Fireworks show of the season. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.