BRIDGEPORT — Morgantown scored runs in five innings to hand Bridgeport its first loss of the season, 8-3 in the opening game of the annual McDonald’s Classic.
The top-ranked and five-time Class AA defending state champion Indians (9-1) were the last undefeated baseball team in West Virginia.
The Mohigans took advantage of several Indian miscues in the field. Morgantown scored a pair of runs in the first inning. Colton Matthews was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Mohigans added another run on a fielders choice.
Nick Stalnaker put the Indians on the scoreboard with a solo homer in the bottom of the first. Morgantown responded with another 2-run inning in the second to lead 4-1.
Bridgeport responded with runs in the second and third innings to pull within 4-3. But the Mohigans scored four runs over the next three innings to pull away.
Morgantown coach Mark McCarty says the insurance runs in the middle innings made a major difference in the game. “Those were huge because that takes the steal away from them and the bunt away from them.”
Morgantown starting pitcher Carter Patrick picked up the win, allowing three runs in five innings. “Carter was not himself today, McCarty said. “He was a little bit under the weather. He has had plenty of rest but he wasn’t feeling very well. He’s a battler and he kept it going.”
The Mohigans improve to 16-2 with the victory. In a season filled with quality victories — including wins over Wheeling Park, Jefferson and Hedgesville — McCarty says a win at Bridgeport is always significant. “It is always good to be able to beat them. They are one of the quality programs in the state. They make very few mental mistakes. Anytime you can beat them, I feel good about that.”
Morgantown makes their annual trip to the Ripken Experience ay Myrtle Beach next week. “At this time of year, it is going to be more of a vacation than it has ever been before. Our reason to go down there is baseball but it is usually spring training. This time it is kind of just a break in the season.”
